Trouble at number 10 for Dragons (From Free Press Series)

Trouble at number 10 for Dragons

10:10am Tuesday 19th February 2013 in Sport By Chris Kirwan

NEWPORT Gwent Dragons’ bid to add an experienced fly-half has hit the buffers.

The Rodney Parade region have targeted ex-England star Andy Goode and former Wales pivot Nicky Robinson, who are both out of contract at the end of the season.

But Worcester's Goode, second in the all time list of Aviva Premiership points scorers, looks likely to be heading for Wasps despite talks with the Dragons getting to an advanced stage.

And a move for ex-Cardiff Blues number 10 Robinson, who has spent the last two seasons with Wasps, also looks doomed to failure.

The Argus understands that the 31-year-old, who scored a try in his side’s Amlin Challenge Cup win at Rodney Parade last month, wanted a three-year contract and £250,000 per season to head to Rodney Parade.

The problems of signing a seasoned fly-half increases the pressure on securing the services of Steffan Jones.

The 22-year-old from Bargoed is still learning his trade and has had a mixed season.

Jones has produced some excellent performances with the boot but has failed to hit those standards consistently. He has been offered a deal and looks likely to stay, although there has been interest from England.

As revealed in the Argus last month, London Welsh have been monitoring his situation.

That interest deepened after the fly-half’s performance with the boot in the LV= Cup clash between the sides at the Kassam Stadium.

Jones kicked 27 points in the Dragons’ victory in Oxford and has started five of the last six games.

Wasps were interested but have signed up the Worcester pair of Goode and Joe Carlisle.