STALWART Matthew Screech is set to leave the Dragons after boss Dean Ryan said the lock is in talks with a Welsh rival and a move is “resolved”.
The 28-year-old from Porth has been on the radar of Cardiff and looks set to return to the Arms Park next season.
Screech came through the Blues academy but was released in 2013 and signed for Bedwas before swiftly earning a full-time Dragons deal.
The lock has been a mainstay of the pack to rack up 157 appearances and will start in Sunday's Guinness PRO14 clash with Glasgow at Principality Stadium.
However, Screech is set to return to the capital in the summer after eight campaigns at Rodney Parade.
“At the moment we haven't contracted Matthew Screech and I believe he is talking to another region,” said director of rugby Dean Ryan.
“I believe that is potentially resolved but I don't know, so that is probably a question for Matthew Screech.”
The forward will mirror Cory Hill, who left the Dragons last summer, in returning to the capital.
Wales lock Will Rowlands has remained an influential figure at Wasps despite confirmation of his move to the Dragons next season and the same will be the case for Screech in the run-in.
“I have no qualms over Matthew's commitment to this club at any stage,” said Ryan.
The Dragons will not look to replace Screech with Ryan instead focusing his attention elsewhere given budget constraints.
Wales lock Will Rowlands is arriving from Wasps and the region already have Joe Maksymiw, Joe Davies, Ben Carter and Max Williams, who has missed all of this season with ruptured Achilles, on their books.
The Dragons announced a two-year contract extension with hard-working Davies on Thursday while 20-year-old Carter has enjoyed a remarkable first campaign in senior rugby.
“Joe Davies is one of those players below the surface who does a great job for us,” said Ryan. “Everybody really values what he does and he is getting better and better.
“We are pretty comfortable with where we are with second rows and the advance of Ben Carter has given us a luxury in that area given his age and how quickly he has come into the side.”
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