WILL Talbot-Davies will aim to put the heat on the senior speedsters in the Dragons’ back three after signing a two-year contract extension.
The 22-year-old has made 27 appearances for the Rodney Parade region since being spotted through the Welsh Exiles programme while playing for Solihull School.
After making his Dragons debut at Leicester in the Anglo-Welsh Cup in 2016, Talbot-Davies pushed on last season in the absence of long-term injury victim Jordan Williams.
He made 11 outings under new director of rugby Dean Ryan and enjoyed a run in his preferred position of full-back.
Talbot-Davies will now battle for starts with fit-again Williams, Ashton Hewitt, Jared Rosser, Owen Jenkins and Rio Dyer – with Wales wing/full-back Jonah Holmes also likely to head to Rodney Parade after Leicester released him from the final year of his contract.
“I’ve enjoyed my time so far at the Dragons and am delighted to re-sign with the club,” said the Wales Sevens international.
“Since Dean has arrived there has been a new sense of positivity and confidence around the place which has translated into some great results this season.
“I can’t wait to get back training with the boys and am very excited to be part of the club’s progression in the future.”
Talbot-Davies earned Ryan’s praise for making strides last season, with the 6ft 3ins back offering a differnt, more direct type of running threat to the livewire Williams.
“Will stepped up and did a good job for us,” said the director of rugby. “He became more settled in the side and you could see with every game he was growing in confidence.”
Williams, who ruptured knee ligaments in the European Challenge Cup game against Enisei-STM in Russia last autumn, signed a contract extension at the start of the year.
Jenkins made an impression on loan from Wales Sevens and it was confirmed earlier this week that the 26-year-old has made the permanent move to the Rodney Parade region.
Holmes' next destination is yet to be confirmed but the Tigers announced on Wednesday that three-times capped speedster was moving to Wales to boost his Wales hopes.
The Dragons are set to profit from the 27-year-old being one of national coach Wayne Pivac's 38 chosen Test players, meaning that the Welsh Rugby Union will pay 80 per cent of his wages.
That will leave room in Ryan's budget for more additions to his squad, with Wales centre Nick Tompkins poised to arrive on a season-long loan from Saracens.
He will then return to the European champions, who have been relegated to England's Championship because of salary cap breaches.
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