NEWPORT Gwent Dragons and the Scarlets are involved in a tug-of-war to sign Cross Keys’ talented up-and-coming number eight Jack Condy.

The 19-year-old powerhouse has enjoyed a superb 2015 with the Pandy Park side, catching the attention of both regions who are in a race to sign him.

The back rower’s outstanding form has been a contributory factor in Keys’ surge to be strong favourites to make the Principality Premiership play-offs.

Condy’s two-try performance in front of the S4C cameras in the club’s 24-19 away victory at Carmarthen Quins at the end of March greatly impressed one former Wales head coach.

Gareth Jenkins, the Scarlets’ head of development/recruitment, was in the crowd to witness his barnstorming runs and impressive finishing ability.

But Dragons director of rugby Lyn Jones wants to ensure he doesn’t slip through their fingers by keeping him in the region.

He has also been offered a contract with the Rodney Parade side.

From the Rhymney Valley, Condy is a Penallta product who has also played rugby league for Neath-based side the South Wales Scorpions and represented Wales at Under-18s level.

There have been posts on a Scarlets supporters’ forum urging their side to snap him as well as his Keys back row colleague, outstanding openside flanker Scott Matthews who has been largely ignored by the Dragons despite his consistent top class displays at semi-professional level.

A recent Wales Under-20s international, Matthews has only made a handful of appearances for his native region.

There is a huge decision to be made by Condy, a labourer, in the coming weeks but the young man finds himself in a flattering position being courted by two teams looking to win his services.

He has made 17 appearances for Keys this season, being on the winning side for them in no less than 13 of those games, drawing one and only being on the losing side three times.

He has scored three tries this campaign and named man of the match on several occasions.