Dragons co-captain O'Brien signs new contract

Dragons co-captain Angus O'Brien has signed a two-year contract extension with the Rodney Parade club.

The 31-year-old full-back or fly-half has been a leading figure in an improved campaign for Filo Tiatia's squad, with his performances putting him on the Wales radar.

O'Brien was contacted by national attack coach Matt Sherratt after missing out on the Six Nations and has been backed by Dragons head coach Tiatia to keep improving.

"Angus is playing some of his best rugby and is continuing to grow as a leader within our squad, alongside co-captain Ben Carter," Tiatia said.

"We now look forward to Angus continuing to produce his best rugby and driving the club forward in the seasons ahead."

O'Brien has made 120 appearances for Dragons in two spells either side of four seasons at Scarlets, where he played from 2018 to 2022.

Dragons return to action in the United Rugby Championship in South Africa with a game at Stormers on Sunday, 22 March before a six-day turnaround to face Lions.

Tiatia's squad then take on Stade Francais in Paris in the last 16 of the Challenge Cup on Sunday, 5 April and will do so without promising scrum-half Che Hope.

The 23-year-old, who is another prospect touted for a Wales call-up, has been ruled out for the rest of the season after surgery on his left hamstring.

Wales scrum-half Rhodri Williams is now backed up by Morgan Lloyd and Niall Armstrong.