The Dragons are are close to winning a tug-of-war with Cardiff and the Ospreys for the services of Wales squad member Cai Evans.
WalesOnline has been told the deal has not yet been completed but the Dragons are the clear favourites for the signature of one of the brightest young stars in the Welsh game.
The Ospreys are keen to retain Evans, while Cardiff also want to sign him, but we understand Rodney Parade is his likeliest destination.
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Evans can play outside-half and full-back while he is also a very good goal kicker. The 24-year-old is the son of Wales legend and Welsh Rugby Union chair Ieuan Evans, and is currently in Switzerland as part of Warren Gatland's extended Rugby World Cup training squad.
Having represented Wales at U20s level he has found it tough to get an opportunity at regional level playing most of his rugby for Swansea RFC in the semi-professional Premiership. But his breakthrough finally came for the Ospreys in the number 15 jersey during their impressive back-to-back Champions Cup victories over French giants Montpellier last season with his defensive game, tactical kicking, and slick distribution skills his point of difference.
With Welsh rugby going through a period of austerity, which will lead to playing budgets getting slashed to as low as £4.5m, the regions have no choice but to put their belief in young talent. Cardiff have been on the look out for a new No.10 following the exit of Jarrod Evans to Harlequins, and are trying to sign South African playmaker Tinus de Beer from the Pumas.
Evans was also understood to be on their shopping list.
The Dragons are also in need of an outside-half with Sam Davies joining Grenoble, and JJ Hanrahan signing for Connacht. It leaves only Will Reed and the versatile Angus O'Brien as options. The Newport based side did hold talks with Wales playmaker Rhys Patchell but WalesOnline understands they couldn't meet his wage demands, with Patchell a target of Super Rugby franchise the Highlanders.
But it appears Dai Flanagan has persuaded Evans to join a Dragons side who are entering a new era with chairman David Buttress on the verge of taking them into private ownership having been owned by the WRU for the past seven years.
