PONTYPRIDD'S former Wales Sevens skipper Gareth Baber is set to join the Gwent Dragons as a replacement for sacked scrum half Ofisa Tonu'u.

Dragons coach Mike Ruddock confirmed Baber was 99% certain to join the new regional side after turning down a move back to Bristol Shoguns.

The 30-year-old former Bristol favourite was wanted to try to help them win promotion back to the Zurich Premiership.

But having taken up a job as a business development officer with a transport firm in Cardiff, Baber decided to stay at Pontypridd and provide cover for the new Pontypridd/Bridgend side.

They will probably have Tongan Sililo Martens and Gareth Cooper on World Cup duty in the Autumn, so Baber would have been on Celtic League duty for them.

But now he is set to join the Dragons alongside Brian Shelbourne and another recent recruit, Rhodri Jones.

"Gareth has been No 1 at Pontypridd, taking over from Paul John last season and playing some of the best rugby of his career," said Ruddock.

"He is experienced and has shown his ability on the European stage. He is very good tactically, can make breaks and is a good passer of the ball.

"There had been quite a bit of interest in him and Pontypridd wanted to keep him."

Ruddock added: "It's disappointing Ofisa Tonu'u is not joining us. I've not had a chance to speak to him but clearly he was not committed to us."

Ruddock said the Dragons were still keeping their options open for a centre but were almost certain to go abroad for one because few Welsh players were available.

"It's looking more and more that way, subject to budget," he said.

"I've looked at a lot of CVs and we have a lot of options to weigh up. We need to look at who is going to be involved in the World Cup and who is not. We don't want to rush it and we'll probably wait another week or two.

"In this regard it's good the name and venue issues have been resolved. It means we can get on with the launch and sell tickets as that will have a bearing on the budget and what we can spend."