NEWPORT Gwent Dragons should sign an experienced foreign international prop to help develop exciting young prospects like Nathan Buck, according to ex-Rodney Parade favourite Rhys Thomas.

The Dragons’ scrum has been criticised often this season and their front row came in for some renewed flak in the wake of their performance away against the Ospreys during the region’s 31-12 defeat a fortnight ago.

But ex-Wales, Dragons and Scarlets tighthead prop Thomas believes there is potential there which could be realised if the region can splash some cash with a recruitment drive.

“The Dragons front row is quite young but there’s a lot of potential there – I think Nathan Buck has got some real potential,” said 29-year-old Thomas, who was forced to quit the game last week after he needed quadruple bypass surgery in January following a heart attack.

The 22-year-old Buck, from Gilwern, Abergavenny, was given his big chance this season after the Dragons’ New Zealand tightheads Ben Castle and Nigel Hall were forced to retire.

The ex-Cross Keys tighthead was out of the game for over two years, needing three major operations on his right knee after suffering a horror injury playing for the University of Queensland in Brisbane in 2009. Buck has been almost omnipresent for the Dragons this season, playing in 26 matches for the region.

Thomas added: “I just think perhaps the Dragons are lacking a couple of experienced props to bring players like Buck through because you get a lot of help from someone who has been there, done that.

“Maybe they need a foreign international or a real old head who had been around a lot of years just to help those boys out and that’s what they are lacking.

“I think the potential is there but they are young and there are going to be some tough times.

“Scrummaging is also about the unit, there’s a lot of little things you’ve got to get right so that the whole works right.”

Thomas paid homage to his old teammate at the Dragons, hooker Steve ‘Jabba’ Jones and thinks the side needs an old professional like him on either side of the scrum.

Jones, 35, has been a great servant and played 168 times for the Dragons since his debut in the 29-19 win over the Ospreys in September 2003.

“The Dragons have a young front row – besides Jabba, who is the old man of team,” joked Thomas. “Jabba’s done an awesome job over the years and he’s great to have in the team.

“You need an old head on one side of the scrum to show the youngsters how it’s done.”