THE Dragons are ‘actively searching’ another tighthead prop ASAP as they prepare to manage the load on Wales international Leon Brown.

The Rodney Parade club get their season under way against the Ospreys in the United Rugby Championship on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

They currently have three fit options for the 3 jersey with Wales tighthead Brown joined by Chris Coleman and Luke Yendle.

Strong-scrummaging Dmitri Arhip, 35, earned a one-year contract by featuring in the run-in last season but is currently out with a knee niggle.

The Dragons were also hit by the sudden retirement of stalwart Lloyd Fairbrother at the start of August, a departure that has led them to hunt a replacement.

“We hadn’t planned for Lloyd retiring,” said Flanagan. “We believed that we had five good tightheads at the region and now we are down to four.

OUT: Dragons prop Dmitri Arhip is nursing a knee injuryOUT: Dragons prop Dmitri Arhip is nursing a knee injury (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency)

“Dmitri is also a couple of weeks away so we are down to three, but we are not the only region to be in that situation.

“We are actively searching in the market for the right guy for us and there has been the opportunity to capitalise in the last week or so on certain players, which we are pursuing.

“We need another front rower and that is something that we are actively pursuing. We are searching for it to be ASAP but it’s about making sure it’s the right tighthead.

“We wouldn’t just take anyone because we believe in Chris and Luke, who will be better this year, but it’s just about having an eye on what is coming [throughout the season].”

The Dragons will also adopt a cautious approach with Brown, who will target key games after being plagued by injuries in recent seasons.

The 27-year-old made just four club appearances in 2023/24 after missing the run-in due to an injury suffered when winning his 24th cap against Scotland in the Six Nations.

Brown, who signed an incentivised contract extension this summer, made his first Dragons appearances since January when starting against Bath last Friday.

BOOST: Leon Brown is fit for the DragonsBOOST: Leon Brown is fit for the Dragons (Image: David Davies)

“Leon will play a couple, have a week off, play a couple, have a week off. We have a plan for Leon and the best case scenario is that it is followed but we will adapt it if needs be,” said Flanagan.

“It was just so nice to see Leon back against Bath and he is looking unbelievable. He has sacrificed certain things to give his body time and get it right.

“He has sometimes returned too early through being loyal and trying to do what is best for everyone else. It’s great that we have all aligned to do what is best for Leon.”