NEWPORT Gwent Dragons have snapped up scrum-half Charlie Davies and back row forward Ed Jackson from Wasps for next season.

Wales-qualified Davies, from Shropshire, will return to Rodney Parade seven years after he first represented the region.

The 24-year-old featured for the Dragons Under-20s when he was on Nottingham’s books in 2008, playing alongside Taulupe Faletau, Matthew Pewtner, Jason Tovey and James Thomas.

He went on to earn a deal with Stade Francais and played five times for the Parisians before returning to England with Wasps in 2010.

Davies has played 70 times for the Aviva Premiership side – including the two Amlin Challenge Cup wins against the Dragons in 2012/13 – and has shared the duties with England hopeful Joe Simpson.

He won’t add to the region’s overseas contingent despite representing England at Under-20s level because, unlike Wales, they run an A side. That makes him eligible for the land of his mother.

Jackson 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.

The 26-year-old Englishman 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 will bolster the Dragons’ ranks in the back row as they are set to be without Wales and Lions ace Taulupe Faletau until November at the earliest because of the World Cup.

Jones said: “I’m delighted both have committed to us, they will be two good signings which will increase the ability of our squad in World Cup year.

“Kingsley (Jones) and I have worked closely with Ed Jackson and we know how good he can be. As for Charlie he has always played to a high standard for Wasps since his return from Stade Francais.

“His roots are in Porthcawl and will prove to be an exciting signing as he battles with Sarel Pretorius and Luc Jones for the number 9 shirt next season.”

Jones’ comment raises the likelihood of Richie Rees no longer being in the Dragons’ squad next season when his contract expires. The popular former Wales scrum-half has other irons in the fire said last month that he hopes to make an announcement on his future shortly.