Dragons line up move for Pumas Currie Cup lock Deon Slabbert

Head coach Dai Flanagan is looking to bolster his tight five for next season with the addition of another second rower and a loosehead prop.

As reported in the Argus last month, the Dragons have been scouting overseas targets that have potential rather than established players that command big wages.

That being the case, rumour-mongering that JD Schickerling, who is on a hefty salary in Japan and is on the radar of French clubs, had been ear-marked was wide of the mark.

Slabbert, who has been playing for the Pumas in the Currie Cup, is top of their list.

A move has been lined up for the 23-year-old, who is listed as 6ft 6ins and 18st 5lb (a similar size to Ben Carter), but it is far from a done deal.

The WRU have to give permission for the signing of the overseas player and they recently blocked Cardiff from bringing in South African fly-half Thinus de Beer.

Dragons boss Dai Flanagan is looking to boost his pack (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

The Dragons would need to present a compelling argument that Slabbert is of a quality that they cannot get in Wales, with the potential to grow as a player and that he won’t block the progress of homegrown players.

He would then need to get the required work visas to head to Europe, with the fact he has no appearances for any South African United Rugby Championship sides counting against him.

The prospect of being a ‘project player’ is also now more complicated as individuals need to live in a country for 60 consecutive months before qualifying on residency.

The Rodney Parade club have lost lock Will Rowlands to Racing 92 but have Wales World Cup hopeful Carter on the books along with Matthew Screech, Joe Davies, George Nott and flanker/locks Sean Lonsdale and Ryan Woodman.

The Dragons 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.

Flanagan and head of recruitment Rob Burgess are working on bringing in a lock and loosehead as priorities plus another specialist fly-half after the early exit of JJ Hanrahan.

His departure with two years to run on a sizeable contract has freed up some budget room and the Dragons are keen on Wales international Rhys Patchell, who was released by the Scarlets.

There has also been speculation that Wales legend Leigh Halfpenny has been in talks over joining as kicking coach but the club are well covered in that department.

They employ Alan Kingsley as a consultant while Flanagan is a former fly-half and backs coach Matt O'Brien will remain on the books of Newport RFC.