FORMER Wales fly-half Gareth Davies is the front-runner to become chief executive of Newport Gwent Dragons.

The 57-year-old, who was capped 21 times, five as captain, is in pole position to succeed Chris Brown.

The appointment would be an impressive one for the region, who are showing real signs of ambition after also rejigging their coaching structure this summer with the arrival of Lyn Jones and Kingsley Jones.

Davies has been chief executive of Cardiff Athletic Club and Cardiff RFC, head of sport at BBC Wales, chairman of the Sports Council for Wales and most recently dean of the Carnegie faculty at Leeds Metropolitan University.

Dragons chairman Martyn Hazell would not comment on individuals and stressed that no decision has been made.

“It’s not a done deal,” he said at the Dragons’ jersey launch. “Discussions are ongoing for the role and there are a number of candidates.

“We need someone who is good at the coalface and negotiations with potential candidates carry on with the aim of getting the right man for an important job.”

Brown was brought in as a trouble-shooter by former Newport owner Tony Brown (no relation) in order to sort out the finances at Rodney Parade.

He has done that successfully and the region went from running at a loss to breaking even last year, largely through using the new facilities in the Bisley Stand.

Brown is carrying out the role until his successor has been appointed.