THE Dragons are scouting overseas locks to add power to their pack but South African JD Schickerling is not on their shortlist.
The Rodney Parade club have so far made three signings for next season with scrum-half Dane Blacker and wing/centre Corey Baldwin heading east from the Scarlets while flanker Dan Lydiate returns home from the Ospreys.
They now have three priorities for their recruitment drive – a loosehead prop, lock and fly-half.
Head coach Dai Flanagan has long been planning to bolster his tight five and is now looking to add a specialist 10 after the early departure of JJ Hanrahan, who had two years to run on a deal but has returned to Ireland with Connacht.
Wales international Rhys Patchell is on their radar to be a playmaker while Flanagan and head of recruitment Rob Burgess have been scouting overseas forwards to bolster their tight five.
South African locks ARE on their list of candidates but the Argus understands that Schickerling is not one of them, despite a report that he has been lined up.
The 6ft 6ins former South Africa A forward, who has been playing in Japan with Kobe Steelers, is out of the Dragons’ price range and has never been mentioned.
A player with the credentials of Schickerling is likely to have other offers (and, frankly, more attractive ones) plus the ability to command a hefty salary.
The Rodney Parade club are hoping to pick up a physical lock with plenty of room for growing their game, with one Currie Cup prospect of particular interest.
However, if the Dragons do settle on their prime target then they will still need to get a deal signed off by the Welsh Rugby Union.
It was recently reported that the governing body recently knocked back Cardiff after they agreed a deal with South African fly-half Tinus de Beer.
The Dragons will need to present a compelling argument to the WRU that any overseas signings would boost the development of their homegrown players and not block any Welsh talent.
The Rodney Parade club have lost captain Will Rowlands to Racing 92 but have Wales World Cup hopeful Ben Carter on the books along with Matthew Screech, Joe Davies, George Nott and flanker/locks Sean Lonsdale and Ryan Woodman.
The Dragons have not been hit by budget cuts as severe as their Welsh rivals plus they have lost Rowlands and were turned down by Ross Moriarty after pushing the boat out for the Wales back rower, who opted for a fresh challenge in France with Brive.
"Up front we need to be more stern We have a priority list of targeting the pack then a back-three player and one or two more," said Flanagan after the Judgement Day win over the Scarlets and before the signings of Lydiate and Baldwin.
“We have put money aside anyway to get a front row forward – that was before Ross left – so we need to target there."
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