Dragons chasing ex-England ace Andy Goode (From South Wales Argus)

Dragons chasing ex-England ace Andy Goode

6:20am Wednesday 30th January 2013 in Dragons By Chris Kirwan

EXPERIENCED: Andy Goode in action against Wales in 2009

NEWPORT Gwent Dragons are in talks to sign ex-England fly-half Andy Goode.

The 32-year-old’s contract with Worcester runs out at the end of the season and the region believe the prolific points scorer could be just the solution to their problems at 10.

The Argus understands they are attempting to convince Goode to sign up and that the 17-times capped fly-half, who lives in Cheltenham, has visited Rodney Parade for talks.

The Dragons have struggled at 10 this season, seeing close matches slip through their fingers because of missed kicks and frequently coming off second best in battles for territory.

The young pair of Lewis Robling and Steffan Jones failed to fire in the first half of the campaign, leading to full-back Dan Evans moving forward with mixed success.

With a raft of young talent in the backs and a burgeoning pack, the Dragons believe they need an experienced fly-half to guide them around the paddock and kick his goals.

Goode ticks those boxes while another option is ex-Wales fly-half Nicky Robinson, who is also out of contract and could be a part of a fly-half merry-go-round.

Welsh-qualified Joe Carlisle has been linked with a move from Worcester to Wasps and it remains possible that the pair could swap clubs Another element in the mix is that Wasps are monitoring Dragons’ fly-half Jones along with London Welsh, who made enquiries about taking him on loan.

The 22-year-old was the match-winner against the Ospreys in the LV= Cup last weekend with six kicks from six but has been in and out of the side and may head elsewhere when his contract expires at the end of the season.

But what is certain is that the Dragons, whose average age in the three-quarters last Saturday was 21, will add an experienced fly-half to their roster this summer and their prime target is Goode.

The 32-year-old is second in the all-time Aviva Premiership points chart behind Charlie Hodgson, was part of a Leicester side that won four titles and two Heineken Cups and won 17 caps.