HEAD coach Kingsley Jones believes Newport Gwent Dragons recruit Craig Mitchell is heading to Rodney Parade with a point to prove.

The 29-year-old Wales tighthead will make the short move east in the summer after a frustrating season at Cardiff Blues.

Former Ospreys front rower Mitchell headed to the capital from Exeter in 2014 but has made just 20 regional appearances. He last played for the Blues in early December and has recently been on Principality Premiership duty with Cardiff RFC.

The 15-times capped international, a member of the World Cup squad in 2011, will battle for the number 3 jersey with first-choice Brok Harris, Shaun Knight, Lloyd Fairbrother and hot prospect Leon Brown.

“Craig was right up there in the Wales pecking order only a few years ago and is not too old. He has been unlucky with injuries but has a lot to prove,” said Jones.

“He still thinks that he has something to offer Wales and wants to put his hand up. He is saying all the right things and we want to give him that chance, but he have to fight for a Dragons place first.

“We’ve got four tightheads but it’s a critical position. We’ve been really lucky that Brok, who is also an option at loosehead, has been both fantastic and durable.

“I’ve felt a bit for Shaun and Lloyd, I’ve tried to rotate them on the bench to keep them involved because they’ve been excellent, then there is Leon coming through.

“Craig has been frustrated by injuries but I know people who have said a lot of very positive things about him, so let’s hope he stays fit and can challenge.”

The Dragons announced the deal – their fourth following the signing of loosehead Sam Hobbs, centre Sam Beard and fly-half/full-back Nick McLeod – at a supporters’ Q&A at Rodney Parade on Monday evening along with contract extensions for a raft of young guns.

Wing Ashton Hewitt, flankers Ollie Griffiths and James Benjamin, locks Cory Hill and Matthew Screech and fly-half Dorian Jones are among the first team regulars to have penned long-term deals.

Loosehead Keagan Bale, centre Connor Edwards and wing George Gasson, who are yet to make their regional bows, have also signed up while tighthead Leon Brown and number eight Harrison Keddie, two stars of the Wales Under-20s Grand Slam winning side, were confirmed on deals until 2019 last year.

With centre Tyler Morgan, hooker Elliot Dee and fly-half Angus O’Brien under contract until 2018 and Jones hopeful of a long-term deal being sorted for the national dual contracted Wales ace Hallam Amos soon, the head coach believes the Dragons are plotting for a bright future.

“I know some fans want marquee signings but the first thing you do is sign up your team,” he said. “What will (surprise Premier League leaders) Leicester City be doing now? They will be signing that team before worrying about new players.

“We’ve got a young squad here. They have massive potential, we need to keep them here until they have reached their full potential.”