Hunt is on for centre

10:24am Monday 12th May 2008

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THE attention switches to the capture of a big centre after Newport Gwent Dragons confirmed the signing of New Zealan-ders James Arlidge and Grant Webb.

Their arrival at Rodney Parade was forecast in Friday's Argus and follows the deal reached by former All Blacks captain Tom Willis, with Hoani Mac-Donald's due to be announced soon as well.

Now Dragons coach Paul Turner is looking to complete one more signing for next season, buoyed by a terrific final game victory over Magners League champions Leinster when a bonus point for scoring four tries was secured in an astonishing opening 20 minutes on Friday night.

That, together with the signings and the prospect of a redeveloped ground with state-of-the-art facilities has completely altered the picture from gloom and doom at the Dragons to at least one of optimism.

Turner is able to make another signing within his budget, and while accepting there may still be problems at prop and on the wing, he is looking to bring in a big centre, especially with Paul Emerick leaving to join French club Beziers.

The player who could fit the bill is Cardiff Blues centre Marc Stcherbina, the former Australia A player who joined the Blues from Northampton but has been hit by injury and has been unable to secure a regular starting-place there.

Arlidge will further strengthen the outside-half position with the Dragons after the signing of Shaun Connor and the emergence of James Tovey.

He is currently playing for Japan in the Asian Five Nations tournament and kicked six conversions in their 82-6 victory over Kazakhstan on Saturday.

He is due to start pre-season training with the Dragons near the end of June, as is number eight Webb, a former New Zealand Sevens player who has recently been with Ulster.

Willis is also due to arrive at Rodney Parade in time for the start of pre-season training, but MacDonald, a lock or blindside flanker, may not be able to come until October as he is contracted to Southland to play in the New Zealand provincial championship until then.

The Dragons are trying to get him over earlier, but that could involve buying him out of his contract.