WING Rio Dyer is targeting a flying start to next season with the Dragons after signing his first senior contract.

The 20-year-old from Newport has committed his future to the region with a deal that will keep him at Rodney Parade until at least 2022.

The speedster made his Dragons debut in 2018 against Saracens in the Anglo-Welsh Cup clash at Allianz Park but it was in January that the Wales Sevens international really made a mark at regional level.

Called into the XV late on because of an injury to Ashton Hewitt, Dyer scored a try and was named as man of the match for his performance in the dramatic Guinness PRO14 win against the Ospreys.

The bright prospect will miss the rest of the campaign because of a shoulder injury but is looking to hit the ground running next season.

South Wales Argus:

"I'm really pleased to sign the contract and continue my journey at Dragons," said Dyer, who was clocked as the region's quickest player in March 2018.

"I've come through the academy and really enjoyed this season with Celtic Cup and senior team appearances, plus experience with Wales Sevens.

"It's frustrating to miss the rest of this season through injury, but my focus is on my rehabilitation and coming back better than I was before."

South Wales Argus:

Boss Dean Ryan hailed Dyer as a "superstar" for his performance against the Ospreys and believes there is plenty more to come from the speedster.

"Rio is an exciting young player who has come through our academy system and earned senior opportunities this season," said the director of rugby.

"We want to develop and retain our best young talent so Rio's new contract is really positive news for us.

"We can now look forward to his continued development with his home region and return to action next season."

The Dragons have Jordan Williams, Will Talbot-Davies, Ashton Hewitt, Owen Jenkins and Jared Rosser as their options out wide for next season.

Dafydd Howells, who was capped twice by Wales in 2013, is out of contract at the end of the season.

The 24-year-old arrived from the Ospreys in 2018 but has been limited to 16 appearances because of injury misfortune.

The Dragons have a raft of young speedsters trying to progress into the senior ranks featuring Joe Goodchild, Carwyn Penny, James McCarthy, Ewan Rosser, Dai Richards and Morgan Richards.