FORMER Newport Gwent Dragons No 8 Ieuan Jones has been signed by Principality Premiership side Cross Keys.

The highly-rated 21-year-old joined Cardiff Blues last year before going on loan to their Guinness PRO12 rivals the Ospreys.

Keys head coach Greg Woods, who has steered the Pandy Park side to the Premiership play-offs for a successive year, was delighted Jones has decided to join them.

"This signing is an excellent one for us," he said. "He will be a big boost to a back row which already has young talented players like Jack Condy and Josh Skinner.

"Ieuan had some big games for us last season (he played eight times for Keys) and we like the fact that he can play across the back row.

"He will also have a big point to prove, which is great for us."

The 6ft 3in and 16st back row forward, who can also play as a blindside flanker, will return to Gwent to ply his trade with a Keys side from next season.

A Wales Under-20s international, Jones was seen as an exciting prospect by the Dragons, but found his path to a regular place blocked by the region's Wales and British and Irish Lions star Taulupe Faletau and Fiji international Netani Talei.

Blackwood-born Jones made 32 appearances for the Dragons and scored five tries but then found chances hard to come by at the Blues following last summer's move to the capital.

He has made six appearances for the Ospreys after joining them last October as cover for the injured former Pontypool back rower Morgan Allen and ex-Dragons favourite Joe Bearman.

Jones played for Keys in their 31-20 Premiership play-off victory away at Carmarthen Quins last May before being part of the side which lost the Grand Final 38-17 to Pontypridd at Sardis Road.