THE return to fitness – and form – of Joe Bearman promises to give the Newport Gwent Dragons coaches a massive selection issue for the all-important run-in to the end of the season.

It’s not the fault of the Cornish and now Welsh qualified back row forward, for a fully fit raring to go Bearman will be a huge asset if the Dragons are to stage a late bid to climb the Magners League table and push for a Heineken Cup place next season.

The back row promises to become the most heavily congested area of the team, even allowing for the fact that Robin Sowden-Taylor has decided to retire.

Once the Six Nations is over near the end of March and assuming all the available back row forwards are fit, then picking a breakaway unit will prove one heck of a task.

Pushing for a place in the starting line-up will be Dan Lydiate, Toby Faletau, Bearman, Gavin Thomas, Lewis Evans, Andrew Coombs and Hugo Ellis.

That’s a pretty formidable array of talent and while it could be argued Thomas is the only specialist openside flanker, Evans has been doing a fine job in recent games despite being a No 8 by preference.

Bearman has shown in his two appearances since returning from long standing groin problems what a good player he is, intelligent and difficult to stop when in his stride.

But Lydiate, who is becoming an established international, would obviously have to start at blindside while No 8 Faletau is one of the most promising young forwards in Wales.

He is earmarked for a bright future and was in the Wales squad for the autumn series and again for the Six Nations only to have to withdraw because of a foot injury.

Coombs has made the step up from Premiership rugby to the regional squad after putting in a huge effort, though Ellis has been a bit disappointing and has had few chances since joining last summer. But it is an enviable array of talent while the centre position could also become congested.

The return of Matthew Watkins, along with Bearman and Martyn Thomas, has energised the team with Watkins having an eye for a gap at 13 and set to compete with Tom Riley.

Pat Leach has emerged well after injury to push Ashley Smith and Tom Cheeseman and Rhodri Gomer Davies also come into consideration.

It all adds up to healthy competition which could give the Dragons a chance to prove they are not the also-rans in the final months of the season.