THE Dragons have confirmed that Wales prop Leon Brown has extended his contract along with fellow tighthead Dmitri Arhip.

Brown, who won the last of his 24 caps against Scotland in the Six Nations last February, will remain at Rodney Parade on an incentivised deal after several injury-hit seasons.

The 27-year-old from Maesglas is currently training hard and is said to be in good shape, but that will need to continue in the countdown to the United Rugby Championship opener against the Ospreys on September 21.

The Dragons have not confirmed the length of the contract but the Argus understands it is a one-year deal that will enable both parties to reassess the situation at the end of the campaign.

With Brown a Test-quality tighthead when fit and firing, he will be in a strong bargaining position if he racks up the games – and would be able to move outside Wales if he wins one more cap.

The Dragons would be happy if their faith in Brown, who made his debut in 2016, results in them having to stump up more money to keep him in 2025 due to strong and consistent performances.

STAYING: Dmitri Arhip has signed a new Dragons dealSTAYING: Dmitri Arhip has signed a new Dragons deal (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency) Meanwhile, Arhip has also penned a one-year contract after making an impression on trial at the end of last season.

The strong-scrummaging Moldovan made five appearances after arriving on a short-term deal to cover for Brown and Lloyd Fairbrother, who is now fit after a slipped disc.

“It’s great news that Dmitri has agreed new terms with us,” said head coach Dai Flanagan. “He is a rock-solid performer, a total professional and vastly experienced tighthead who adds a huge amount to our squad.

“His outstanding performance off the bench in our final game of the season against Scarlets really showcased what he is all about. He was destructive in the scrum and showed our fans what he is all about.”

Arhip and Brown have been joined in signing extensions by tightheads Chris Coleman and Luke Yendle, loosehead Rodrigo Martinez and hooker James Benjamin.

“We are pleased that a number of our talented front rowers have also agreed new deals,” added Flanagan.

“We’re excited to see them continue their journey with us and they understand there is a very real expectation on them to kick on and perform.”

The tightheads on the books next season will be Arhip, Brown, Fairbrother, Coleman and Yendle while Martinez will try to put the head on first-choice loosehead Rhodri Jones along with Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths, Josh Reynolds and Wales Under-20s international Jordan Morris.

Wales international Elliot Dee heads the contingent of hookers that features summer signing Oli Burrows, Benjamin, Brodie Coghlan and Sam Scarfe.