URC: Solomone Funaki to bring 'Tongan sidestep' to Dragons

The 30-year-old was one of six signings made by the Rodney Parade club but had an operation to clean out his left knee before arriving, with his recovery stalled by an infection.

It was a frustrating start to life in Wales but the Tonga international, who arrived from Moana Pasifika, is closing in on a return.

Funaki will sit out the United Rugby Championship opener against the Ospreys at Rodney Parade on Saturday (kick-off 3pm) and the round two trip to Leinster.

The Dragons then host a pair of South African sides with the strong-running forward hoping to take on either the Sharks or Lions.

CHARGE: New Dragons signing Solomone Funaki on the run for Moana Pasifika (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

“I am hoping to be back as soon as possible,” said Funaki, who has moved to Europe with his wife and two young children. “Maybe round four, hopefully earlier.

“I have tried to stay positive but it’s been really challenging to move to a new team and not be able to train fully and get connected.

“You gain respect when you work together in hard times but I have been lucky that the environment is awesome and they have supported me really well.”

With Aaron Wainwright on the comeback trail from a hamstring tear and Taine Basham sidelined by minor leg niggles, the Dragons are down on their leading back row carrying options.

But Funaki – with a background in rugby league – intends to be running hard and straight to get his new side over the gain line.

“I don’t have the footwork,” he said. “We call it the Tongan sidestep and I’ll run it straight into the wall, hoping to go through!”

The Dragons name their team to face the Ospreys at midday on Friday with Harrison Keddie, Shane Lewis-Hughes and Ryan Woodman the most likely back row trio after they started at Bath last weekend.

Lock/blindside George Nott, George Young and up-and-coming Evan Minto featured off the bench.