NEWPORT Gwent Dragons have recalled fly-half Jason Tovey for Friday’s RaboDirect Pro12 encounter with Treviso.

The number 10 has sat out the Dragons’ last three games after opting to move to Cardiff Blues at the end of the season.

The region has instead taken the opportunity to blood young prospects Lewis Robling and Steffan Jones.

However, Jones suffered an ankle injury while playing for Cross Keys in their British and Irish Cup win against Cornish Pirates last weekend.

The 21-year-old faces a scan but he looks likely to miss the rest of the season – meaning Tovey will be Robling’s back up on the Dragons bench on Friday night.

“Leaving Jason out has never been anything personal," said head coach Darren Edwards. “He is a great guy and I have enjoyed working with him.

“But we have had to look to the future and give our other two young 10s a chance.

“As the third fly-half in our squad he was always there if required and an injury means he comes straight back in without any hesitation.

“It’s great to have Jason back but equally it’s such a shame for Steffan because he was coming along nicely and had a lot to play for between now and the end of the season both with us and Cross Keys.”

Tovey’s recall means that he could be presented with a chance to whittle away at the Dragons’ points record.

He currently trails Ceri Sweeney by nine with three games left in his career at Rodney Parade.

"It would be a real feat and shows what sort of a contribution he has made to this region,” said Edwards. “I’ll certainly be shaking his hand if he passes it."


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NEWPORT Gwent Dragons head coach Darren Edwards refused to be drawn on the imminent signing of Wales full-back/wing Tom Prydie yesterday.

The Argus revealed yesterday that the 20-year-old, currently on loan at Wasps, is close to penning a deal to join the Rodney Parade region from the Ospreys.

Edwards said he is unable to comment on specific signings but did state: "We would be interested in any quality young Welsh players, and Tom is certainly one of those."

The head coach has previously been in charge of Prydie at Wales age-grade level.