NEWPORT Gwent Dragons head coach Darren Edwards says the decision to not offer a deal to Gerwyn Price was down to the development of the region’s young hookers.

Price has joined Glasgow’s bid for the RaboDirect Pro12 title after signing from Cross Keys until the end of the season.

It has led to frustration at Pandy Park that one of the best players in the Premiership has had to leave the country for a professional contract.

Edwards insists they had a good look at the 27-year-old from Markham but felt they needed to back their current crop.

“I wish Gerwyn luck, his ambition was always to be a professional rugby player and I am pleased for him,” he said.

“We looked at him seriously and had him in with us over the summer, then continued to monitor him at Cross Keys in the Premiership.

“But we made the decision to back the potential of our two young hookers Sam Parry and Hugh Gustafson.

“They’ve got Elliot Dee behind them and he was one of the stand-out performers for Wales Under-20s last week, so we are confident that we have got a good set of hookers that are going to come through.”