NEWPORT Gwent Dragons scrum-half Richie Rees is set to stay with the region – as academy skills coach.

The 31-year-old former Wales international has been lined up as replacement for Shaun Connor, who left his role in February to become the Dragons’ backs coach.

Rees, who headed to Rodney Parade from Edinburgh in the summer of 2013, is a qualified PE teacher with a passion for education and development.

In a matchday programme earlier this season he said: “I have done my PGCE and I am currently undertaking a course at Bath University for TALS (Talented Athlete Lifestyle Support. Because the age range of 16 to 21 is an area I have a real interest in.

“I think that it’s an area where you have the best chance to help improve a player the most both on and off the field and that is exactly the area I would like to work in when I finish playing.”

He has been working with the Dragons Under-16s South this season and frequently holds workshops with clubs in the region.

Director of rugby Lyn Jones has signed two scrum-halves for next season in the Cheetahs’ Sarel Pretorius and Wasps’ Charlie Davies who will join Luc Jones as options for the 9 jersey.

Rees, who would work under academy boss James Chapron, has not featured in the Dragons’ matchday squad since February with Bath-bound Jonathan Evans backed up by Jones.

When Dai Flanagan took up a similar role with the Scarlets earlier this season he was forced to hang up his boots, ending plans to play for Newport at fly-half.