DRAGONS speedster David Richards is waiting to learn the extent of the damage after suffering an injury relapse on his return to action.

The 24-year-old made his comeback after 14 months on the sidelines in Newport’s Premiership clash with Carmarthen Quins last weekend but lasted just six minutes.

The rapid wing/full-back suffered a serious hamstring tear against the Lions in Johannesburg in November, 2022.

Richards then suffered a back injury last summer that impacted his hamstrings and affected his power and explosiveness.

After seeing specialists, he hoped to work towards full fitness with Newport, who he helped win the Premiership Cup in 2022 when named as man of the match at Principality Stadium.

South Wales Argus: PROMISING: David Richards pictured in the summer of 2022 before injury misfortunePROMISING: David Richards pictured in the summer of 2022 before injury misfortune (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

However, the return was a brief one and Richards will now be assessed by the Dragons medical team.

It is a further blow in the back three for the Dragons, who are without Ashton Hewitt after he ruptured knee ligaments at the end of last year.

Dai Flanagan’s men are next in action at Glasgow in the United Rugby Championship on Saturday, February 17 when there is a break in the Six Nations schedule.

The Dragons have six players in Warren Gatland’s squad – wing Rio Dyer, full-back/fly-half Cai Evans, hooker Elliot Dee, tighthead Leon Brown and back rowers Aaron Wainwright and Taine Basham – plus centre Harri Ackerman is captaining the Under-20s.

Whether any players get released for game time at Scotstoun remains to be see but Flanagan should be boosted by the return of some senior figures.

South Wales Argus: BLOW: Angus O'Brien is close to a return from the broken arm suffered in the Dragons' loss at MunsterBLOW: Angus O'Brien is close to a return from the broken arm suffered in the Dragons' loss at Munster (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

Full-back/fly-half Angus O’Brien hasn’t played since suffering a broken arm at Munster in November but has trained with the team and is in line to face the Warriors.

Back rowers Dan Lydiate (ribs) and Harri Keddie (elbow) missed the loss to the Sharks but it is hoped they will make timely returns in the absence of Wainwright and Basham.

Argentina scrum-half Gonzalo Bertranou is also expected to be in contention after a knee injury suffered in December at Pau, although that is a position of strength with Rhodri Williams and Dane Blacker also battling for the 9 jersey.

With Brown away with Wales, the Dragons will hope that Lloyd Fairbrother’s calf injury is not serious after he missed the Challenge Cup clashes with Zebre and the Sharks.