Forwards Keagan Bale, Leon Brown and Harri Keddie alongside backs Barney Nightingale, Lloyd Lewis and Arwel Robson have all signed senior contracts keeping the home grown talent at the Men of Gwent until 2019.
19-year-old Bale is a Dragons academy product. In 2001 he made his first appearance for Dragons U16s age grade when they took on Blues South U16s. The prop went on to make appearances for Dragons U18s and Coleg Gwent, before playing for Welsh Premiership Cross Keys and Bedwas. Most recently Bale was named in the 2015 World Rugby Junior World Championship making five appearances for the squad.
Tight head prop Leon Brown burst onto the scene in 2012 when he played his first match for the Dragons U16s age grade side after coming on as a replacement against the Ospreys U16s. The Newport born front row found his feet and became a regular starter for the U16s before moving onto the U18s and Newport High School. Brown has made eight appearances for Gwent side Cross Keys and came off the bench in the semi-final of the Principality Premiership against Ebbw Vale at Eugene Cross Park.
Joining Bale and Brown in the forwards, 18-year-old Harri Keddie has also signed a senior contract with the Region.
Versatile back row Harri Keddie has five caps for Wales U20s after being named in the squad for the U20s Six Nations campaign this year. The 18-year-old pulled on a senior Dragons jersey last summer as he was named in the Dragons Sevens squad for the Premiership Sevens Tournament. The Magor born Academy product has played for the U16s and U18s age grade sides before moving onto playing for Coleg Gwent. Keddie has made 13 appearances for Principality Premiership side Ebbw Vale and most recently started at number 8 for them during their semi-final win against fellow Gwent side Cross Keys.
Joining the forwards are backs Barney Nightingale, Lloyd Lewis and Arwel Robson.
Young gun Barney Nightingale is just 18 and has already made five appearances for the Dragons senior squad. Nightingale’s first appearance was in February 2014 as he came on as a replacement against Connacht in the Guinness PRO12. The centre has also made appearances for Dragons U16s and Newport High School. As well as Welsh Premiership teams Newport RFC and Cross Keys. Nightingale was also named in the 2015 World Rugby Junior World Championship making four appearances for the squad.
Winger Lloyd Lewis joins his fellow Academy members in taking the step into the senior squad. The 18-year-old has made appearances for Dragons U16s and U18s, and Coleg Gwent. Lewis has most recently stepped into Principality Premiership squad Cross Keys, where he made ten appearances last season.
Talented kicker Arwel Robson made his debut for the Dragons U16s in 2012 against Blues South U16s. Robson has also made appearances for Coleg Gwent and most recently the Dragons U18s age grade squad. The fly-half also started for the Dragons U18s in the final of the Regional Age Grade Championship at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park.
Newport Gwent Dragons Academy Manager, James Chapron commented: “It’s the first big step for these players in their professional rugby careers and a great opportunity for them.
“These players have been proven performers at age grade and Premiership level and it is good to see their hard work paying off. The next challenge for them is to begin the transition over the next 12-18 months from academy into senior professional players.
“It is great motivation for the rest of the players in the Academy to see what can be achieved, and the opportunities that exist within our region."
Dragons Director of Rugby, Lyn Jones added: “It’s fantastic to see these youngsters make the transition from our Academy into the senior squad.
“All of these players are local Gwent lads and they have proven their talent throughout their time with the Academy.
“Dragons Academy products Hallam Amos, Tyler Morgan and Jack Dixon were recently selected for the for the Wales extended Rugby World Cup squad, so it’s proving that we are doing something right here at the Region.”
19-year-old Bale is a Dragons academy product. In 2001 he made his first appearance for Dragons U16s age grade when they took on Blues South U16s. The prop went on to make appearances for Dragons U18s and Coleg Gwent, before playing for Welsh Premiership Cross Keys and Bedwas. Most recently Bale was named in the 2015 World Rugby Junior World Championship making five appearances for the squad.
Tight head prop Leon Brown burst onto the scene in 2012 when he played his first match for the Dragons U16s age grade side after coming on as a replacement against the Ospreys U16s. The Newport born front row found his feet and became a regular starter for the U16s before moving onto the U18s and Newport High School. Brown has made eight appearances for Gwent side Cross Keys and came off the bench in the semi-final of the Principality Premiership against Ebbw Vale at Eugene Cross Park.
Joining Bale and Brown in the forwards, 18-year-old Harri Keddie has also signed a senior contract with the Region.
Versatile back row Harri Keddie has five caps for Wales U20s after being named in the squad for the U20s Six Nations campaign this year. The 18-year-old pulled on a senior Dragons jersey last summer as he was named in the Dragons Sevens squad for the Premiership Sevens Tournament. The Magor born Academy product has played for the U16s and U18s age grade sides before moving onto playing for Coleg Gwent. Keddie has made 13 appearances for Principality Premiership side Ebbw Vale and most recently started at number 8 for them during their semi-final win against fellow Gwent side Cross Keys.
Joining the forwards are backs Barney Nightingale, Lloyd Lewis and Arwel Robson.
Young gun Barney Nightingale is just 18 and has already made five appearances for the Dragons senior squad. Nightingale’s first appearance was in February 2014 as he came on as a replacement against Connacht in the Guinness PRO12. The centre has also made appearances for Dragons U16s and Newport High School. As well as Welsh Premiership teams Newport RFC and Cross Keys. Nightingale was also named in the 2015 World Rugby Junior World Championship making four appearances for the squad.
Winger Lloyd Lewis joins his fellow Academy members in taking the step into the senior squad. The 18-year-old has made appearances for Dragons U16s and U18s, and Coleg Gwent. Lewis has most recently stepped into Principality Premiership squad Cross Keys, where he made ten appearances last season.
Talented kicker Arwel Robson made his debut for the Dragons U16s in 2012 against Blues South U16s. Robson has also made appearances for Coleg Gwent and most recently the Dragons U18s age grade squad. The fly-half also started for the Dragons U18s in the final of the Regional Age Grade Championship at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park.
Newport Gwent Dragons Academy Manager, James Chapron commented: “It’s the first big step for these players in their professional rugby careers and a great opportunity for them.
“These players have been proven performers at age grade and Premiership level and it is good to see their hard work paying off. The next challenge for them is to begin the transition over the next 12-18 months from academy into senior professional players.
“It is great motivation for the rest of the players in the Academy to see what can be achieved, and the opportunities that exist within our region."
Dragons Director of Rugby, Lyn Jones added: “It’s fantastic to see these youngsters make the transition from our Academy into the senior squad.
“All of these players are local Gwent lads and they have proven their talent throughout their time with the Academy.
“Dragons Academy products Hallam Amos, Tyler Morgan and Jack Dixon were recently selected for the for the Wales extended Rugby World Cup squad, so it’s proving that we are doing something right here at the Region.”
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