NEWPORT Gwent Dragons have signed up three young Welsh stars on development contracts from next season.

They have secured Newport and Wales under-21 scrum half James Ireland, pictured, who made one start and two appearances as a replacement for the Dragons this season, plus Llanelli Scarlets and Carmarthen Quins outside half Aled Thomas and Bridgend flanker Chris Davies, both under-21 caps.

Ireland was a member of the Wales Under-21s Grand Slam winning team and impressed with his strength and eye for a gap.

He has lived most of his life in England, born in Hereford and going to school in Birmingham before moving to London with his parents and playing for London Welsh at junior level.

He qualifies for Wales through his Neath-born father and was picked up by then Wales under-19s coach David Rees when coach of Cross Keys, where Ireland spent a season before moving to Newport.

Thomas played for Wales Under-21s in the first half of the season, including the game against New Zealand, before losing out to Wayne Jones of Neath Swansea Ospreys. He did appear for Llanelli Scarlets though mainly for Carmarthen Quins. He's a running outside half with quick hands.

Davies was a regular member of the under-21s at blind side flanker though he may be better suited to openside at senior level.

Still with the youngsters, the Dragons have also signed Newport number eight Richard Dale and Pontypridd wing Richard Fussell, both under-21 caps, on apprentice contracts.

Dale hasn't played almost all season after breaking his foot, while Fussell laid on a try after a brilliant run for Pontypridd in Saturday's last gasp Konica Minolta Cup final defeat by Llanelli.

They join another Wales Under-21s pair, full back Ricky Williams and lock Ben Thompson of Newport, who have signed apprentice contracts for the Dragons.

At senior level the Dragons have signed Newport front row forwards Gethin Robinson and Kieran Crawford.

Robinson is a prop who may well be developed as a hooker while former Wales Under-21s hooker Crawford played for the Dragons last season and this before suffering a knee injury.

They join Llanelli Scarlets lock Bryn Griffiths as the new signings, Griffiths having scored a try for Llanelli in the cup final.

The Dragons have already re-signed skipper Jason Forster, Kevin Morgan, Nathan Brew, Chris Anthony, Ian Gough, Luke Charteris, Michael Owen and Jamie Ringer who were all out of contract.

Chief executive Andy Marinos, who returns to South Africa next month, said: "We have eight Welsh Grand Slam squad winners and two British Lions so the quality is there for all to see.

"We also have a number of younger players who have been successful at international under-21 level and investing in the future of the region will bear fruit."