Welsh-qualified lock Levi Douglas to join URC strugglers next season

Former Bath and Wasps lock Levi Douglas has signed for Dragons ahead of next season.

The well-travelled forward, 29, has spent the last season in France’s Pro D2 with Biarritz, having arrived in the Basque Country at the beginning of the season as a medical joker following a spell with Urayasu D-Rocks in Japan.

Though the Dragons are firmly rooted to the bottom of the United Rugby Championship table with only one league win from 15 matches, they are equipping themselves for a stronger campaign next year. Douglas’ signing was announced shortly after the club confirmed new deals for props Rhodri Jones and Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths.

The arrival of Douglas will also be a boost for whomever takes the vacant Wales job as the lock is Welsh-qualified and is relishing the “opportunity to connect with and explore my Welsh heritage.”

Fixture

United Rugby Championship

Ospreys

57 - 24

Full-time

Dragons RFC

All Stats and Data

“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of the exciting project that Filo and the team are building at the Dragons,” Douglas said after signing. 

“I’m really looking forward to getting started and contributing to the club’s future success.

“With my grandfather being born in Wales, this move also gives me a special opportunity to connect with and explore my Welsh heritage.”

Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia added: “We’re looking forward to welcoming Levi into our programme and the impact he can make.”

“He brings experience from the clubs he’s played at and has spent many years in the French leagues, where they pride themselves on set piece and physicality.

“Levi brings a physical presence to any game and is someone who wins the gain line on both sides of the ball.”

Douglas has three games remaining with Biarritz before the season comes to a close which come against three of the top five teams in the league. Though currently in 12th place out of 16 teams, a poor showing in the denouement of the season could see them dragged down to 15th place, where they would face a relegation play-off.

Pro D2

P

W

L

D

PF

PA

PD

BP T

BP-7

BP

Total

1

Grenoble

27

19

8

0

90

2

Brive

27

18

9

0

84

3

Colomiers

27

16

10

1

77

4

Provence Rugby

27

16

10

1

76

5

Beziers

27

15

12

0

72

6

US Montauban

27

16

11

0

72

7

Soyaux Angouleme

27

15

10

2

71

8

USON Nevers

27

14

13

0

61

9

Dax

27

12

14

1

57

10

Oyonnax

27

11

15

1

56

11

Valence Romans

27

11

16

0

55

12

Biarritz

27

12

15

0

55

13

Agen

27

11

16

0

53

14

Mont de Marsan

27

11

16

0

51

15

Aurillac

27

11

16

0

48

16

Nice

27

5

22

0

26