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Dragons Move Would Offer Rhys Priestland A Wales Route

Wales international fly-half Rhys Priestland could be a target for the Dragons after confirming he will leave Bath at the end of the season.

Priestland has not been offered new terms by the Gallagher Premiership club following four years spent across the border.

The Dragons have re-signed Jason Tovey from Cross Keys, but only until the end of the season and with Gavin Henson – who turns 37 next month – unlikely to be at Rodney Parade for the next campaign, the region will be short of experience at No.10.

Their only other current options are Josh Lewis, youngster Arwel Robson and Jacob Botica who joined last season from RGC 1404, but has yet to make a single start.

Priestland, 31, won the majority of his 50 caps at the Scarlets but falls short of the Welsh Rugby Union’s 60-cap rule now that he has come to the end of his current contract.

That means he could only resume his Wales career by returning to a Welsh region, although he is currently well down the pecking order and has said previously he does not expect a return to the international squad.

“Rhys has been an influential figure not only on the field, but in his leadership off the field over the last four years,” Bath rugby director Todd Blackadder told the club’s official website.

“There is still a lot of rugby to play between now and the end of the season, and I have no doubt he will play a key role in the next six months.”

Tovey, 29, has extended his stay at Rodney Parade after initially joining on permit from Cross Keys.

The former Edinburgh and Cardiff Blues player scored the winning kick in the Dragons’ Guinness Pro14 victory over the Ospreys and has now been registered for the European Challenge Cup.

Interim head coach Ceri Jones said: “Jason has been absolutely fantastic since he has come back into the set-up and so we’re pleased we can now work with him the rest of this season.

“Jason not only adds more competition at fly half but also brings vast experience to help the younger players at the region develop.

“He has achieved a huge amount already during his time with Dragons and know he is keen to kick on once again in the coming months and help us develop as a squad.”

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