BACK rower Tom Brown has left the Newport Gwent Dragons to join English Championship side Jersey.

The former Cardiff Blues and London Welsh player was out of contract with the region.

The Channel Islands club moved to replace their star forward Guy Thompson who joined Aviva Premiership side Wasps last week.

They targeted Brown, 29, who made 18 appearances for the Dragons last season as they finished last but one in the RaboDirect PRO12.

Jersey finished bottom but one in the Championship with only basement side Doncaster Knights relegated.

Their director of rugby Ben Harvey is confident new recruit Brown will make a difference to his side.

"Tom has spent three seasons playing a very good standard of rugby in the PRO12 and earning an excellent reputation,” he said.

"I'm sure he'll become a major asset to the Jersey squad and look forward to working with him in June when pre-season training starts.”