Dean Ryan has revealed how hooker Bradley Roberts was a long-term target for Dragons – and how he feels the front row will be a valuable acquisition for the region.
Wales international Roberts will link-up with Dragons from next season after agreeing a move from Ulster Rugby.
The talented hooker will battle with Elliot Dee, James Benjamin and Ellis Shipp for action at Rodney Parade.
And Director of Dragons Rugby Ryan has spoken about how a long-term target was secured.
“We actually looked at Bradley around 12 months ago,” revealed Ryan. “We were aware of his Welsh connections, but at that stage he wanted to keep developing his game at Ulster.
“The opportunity for him with Wales was a key one, and to keep pressure on Welsh selection he needed to be playing in Wales.
“I’m delighted to be successful with that (signing) and his ambition to be successful with Wales is a great opportunity for us to the beneficiaries of.
“Bradley was very keen to fulfil his obligations with Ulster when we first talked to him,” he added.
“He felt they discovered him, felt they developed him, and he wanted to give it another year.
“I have no doubt that the Wales opportunity highlighted that if he wanted to continue to be an option at senior level for Wales he needed to be playing in Wales.
“Before that, he was about building his game, continuing to improve, but to get that window probably did exaggerate his decision making.”
Ryan believes Roberts will add another dimension to his squad and really crank up competition in the front row.
He added: “Bradley is a fantastic ball player, his ability and dynamism in the loose is fantastic. The areas that he wants to keep pushing on is his set piece.
“To have a dynamic ball carrier in the team will be a huge benefit.
“Competition for places isn’t something we have necessarily had and one of the biggest drivers of personal improvement is pressure from your peers.
“It has been a problem in having enough depth to create true pressure, so we are delighted in a couple of areas we can create that.”
I’m delighted to be successful with that (signing) and his ambition to be successful with Wales is a great opportunity for us to the beneficiaries of...
