Signings and sponsorship boost for Dragons (From South Wales Argus)

Signings and sponsorship boost for Dragons

3:35pm Monday 12th May 2008

• Print
• Email
• Share

NEW Zealanders Tom Willis, James Arlidge and Grant Webb have signed for the Newport Gwent Dragons on two-year contracts and car supermarket group Motorpoint will sponsor the region in a deal believed to be worth six figures.

The signings come after Dragons chief executive Gethin Jenkins and head coach Paul Turner went on a recruiting mission Down Under.

Motorpoint have pledged two years (with a third year option) to the region as title shirt sponsors.

Jenkins said: "The signings reflect the ambition of the Dragons ahead of the imminent stadium redevelopment. When Paul and I travelled to New Zealand we were determined to secure quality and experienced players to compliment the experience and emerging talent already nurtured by the Dragons within the region.

"It is important to ensure that we are signing the right type of players to join the Dragons and this formed a key reason for our trip to New Zealand."

He said the future was a bright one for the Dragons: "We explained our plans and the direction that the team is going and, as a result, the players have committed themselves to the Dragons for the coming two years.

"There are certainly exciting times ahead for the region and the signings reflect the growing confidence here at Rodney Parade."

The 29-year-old hooker Tom Willis, a qualified lawyer, has captained the All Blacks, has won five caps for New Zealand and is an experienced Super 14 player for Waikato.

New Zealand-born James Aldridge made a successful debut for Japan last year against South Korea, scoring with two tries and ten conversions and is currently on international duty in the Asian Five Nations tournament.

Number 8 Grant Webb, also aged 29, has played Super 14 and NPC rugby in New Zealand with Otago Highlanders and Hawks Bay and also spent some time in Japan playing for Toyota.

He has also featured for Ulster this season with experience of the Magners League and Heineken Cup.

• Print
• Email
• Share