DRAGONS tighthead prop Nicky Thomas has joined Bristol Bears on a short-term trial.

The 24-year-old has returned to the west country after a spell on loan from the Scarlets in last season.

Thomas then headed to Rodney Parade but made just five appearances amid concerns about his fitness.

The former Wales Under-20s international, who also had a spell with Gloucester, was behind Leon Brown, Lloyd Fairbrother, Aaron Jarvis and Brok Harris in the pecking order and will now go to Bristol.

Head coach Pat Lam said: “We know Nicky well from his time spent with us last season and tighthead prop is a critical position on the field where it’s important we have depth.

“With James Lay not arriving until December and Lewis Thiede and Sione Faletau unavailable, we only have John Afoa, Jake Armstrong and Ollie Dawe to call upon in that position.

“After the Gloucester game – when John and Jake had to go through the head injury assessment protocols – we found ourselves short of bodies when running in training, so Nicky’s arrival gives us some options when going through our preparation."