NEWPORT Gwent Dragons are set to sign Cardiff Blues and Wales forwards Robin Sowden-Taylor and Scott Morgan in time for next season.
Sowden-Taylor has been linked with a move to the neighbouring Dragons for a while and nothing has come of it, but it appears there has been a change of heart and the openside specialist could now be on the way to Rodney Parade.
The 27-year-old has won eight caps, featuring in four starts including the 2007 game against South Africa, but has been unable to displace Wales regular Martyn Williams, and more recently Sam Warburton has emerged as well.
Morgan, who is 31, can play at lock or blindside flanker and has one cap to his name against Australia in 2007.
While neither player will attract much excitement among Dragons fans, it should be remembered what an impression Gavin Thomas and Rob Sidoli have made as two unsung heroes in their tremendous season.
Both Thomas and Sidoli are over 30, but have done so well that they are in the running for the player-of-the-year award currently being run by the Argus.
Another player already heavily linked with the Dragons is outside half Matthew Jones of Worcester, also an international who previously played for the Ospreys and London Welsh.
The Dragons have signed another player (not Sam Norton-Knight or Richard Mustoe or Ian Gough, who have all been the subject of rumours) but do not wish to reveal any more or the names of those players leaving as there are still at least two games to go this season.
Meanwhile, back row pair Lewis Evans and James Harris have both been included in the squad for tomorrow night’s Magners League Welsh derby against the Blues after recovering from injuries which have sidelined them for the past six weeks.
It’s timely because Dan Lydiate is out and he is joined by fellow back row men Joe Bearman, who is not right after returning from his groin operation against Edinburgh and Grant Webb (knee).
Also ruled out are centre Matthew Watkins and tight head prop Pat Palmer who suffered hamstring and shoulder injuries, respectively, against Edinburgh while Aled Brew, Adam Jones and Steve Jones are longer term casualties.
Decisions will be made after training today on the fitness of outside half Jason Tovey and lock Luke Charteris, also injured against the Scots, Tovey off early feeling groggy and Charteris aggravating a neck injury. The situation with both is not promising.
Back in the squad for the first time since October after a major knee operation is prop Nigel Hall, though he has made a couple of appearances for Cross Keys in the Welsh Premiership.
Squad: M Thomas, W Harries, R Gomer-Davies, T Riley, A Smith, R Fussell, J Arlidge, S Connor, J Tovey, W Evans, A Walker, H Gustafson, N Hall, T Willis (captain), L Burns, B Castle, R Sidoli, L Charteris, H MacDonald, L Evans, A Coombs, T Faleau, G Thomas, J Harries. Kick off 7.05pm.
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