NEWPORT Gwent Dragons are putting the finishing touches to a move for Maori All Blacks flanker Nick Crosswell and have also been in talks with Wasps number eight Ed Jackson.

Crosswell can play across the back row and boasts Super Rugby experience with the Hurricanes, Highlanders and the Chiefs. The 28-year-old from Manawatu also represented the Maori All Blacks on their 2012 tour to the UK and in their two wins against Japan last autumn.

The Dragons have room on their roster for foreign recruits next season as they currently boast South African pair Rynard Landman and Brok Harris, New Zealander Boris Stankovich and Scotsman David Young.

The region have also held preliminary discussions with Englishman Jackson, who went to school at Millfield School in Somerset and came through the ranks at Bath.

The 26-year-old played under Dragons director of rugby Lyn Jones at London Welsh and caught the eye with a string of strong performances as the Exiles battled the drop.

He earned a move to Wasps but has been a fringe figure for the Aviva Premiership playoff contenders this season because of the form of dynamic Fijian Nathan Hughes.

Jackson, who can also play blindside, has been to visit the Dragons' training base in Ystrad Mynach and is likely to have other suitors.

The back row has traditionally been an area of strength for the region and there have been strong performances by James Thomas, Lewis Evans and Nic Cudd this season while promising prospects James Benjamin and Ollie Griffiths have also been brought into the fray.

But with Wales and Lions ace Taulupe Faletau likely to pen a national dual contract, which would limit his game time, the Dragons have targeted fresh recruits.

New signings would make a contract extension unlikely for 33-year-old former Wales and Lions back row forward Andy Powell, who has made 10 appearances this season and was an unused replacement against Cardiff Blues on New Year's Day after almost two months out of the squad.

- The dates for the Dragons' remaining LV= Cup pool games at Rodney Parade have been confirmed with Exeter heading to Newport on Sunday, Februrary 1 while London Welsh will be hosted the following Sunday (both kick-offs 2.30pm).

The region, who lost at Harlequins and beat the Ospreys last autumn, are reliant on Saracens slipping up the same opponents if they are to make the semi-finals.