THE Dragons believe that Brandon Nansen can be a hard-hitter like Wales stars Jake Ball and Bradley Davies after signing the Samoa lock on a two-year contract.

The 24-year-old has been given a visa to head to Rodney Parade after an injury-hit season with Stade Francais.

The Aucklander, who won his solitary Samoa cap against Romania in Bucharest last November, made an impression playing for North Harbour in New Zealand’s Mitre 10 Cup.

Those exploits caught the eye of Dragons head coach Bernard Jackman, who has finally got his man after failing in a previous bid to sign the 6ft 6ins, 18st forward.

“I have been following Brandon since he played for New Zealand Schools and when I was with Grenoble I flew over to try and sign him. Unfortunately for us he was awarded a Super Rugby contract with the Blues,” said Jackman.

“This is an important signing for us because if there is one position that we needed to boost then it was the tighthead lock.

“Brandon is a very aggressive and abrasive lock, a big ball carrier who provides physicality at the set piece and maul.

“It’s very hard to find Welsh-qualified players like him. Bradley Davies and Jake Ball are two guys that are the nearest to him, but I’d say he is slightly more dynamic.

“Brandon will give us an edge and is an enforcer, which is a role that Joe Davies could grow into over the next few years.”

Nansen can also play in the back row but will predominantly be another lock option along with captain Cory Hill, Joe Davies, Rynard Landman and Matthew Screech.

In James Thomas, Max Williams and new recruit Huw Taylor, the Dragons have blindsides who have experience of playing as athletic second row options.

However, the management have asked Nansen to be a hard-hitter in the boilerhouse, a role that the Samoa lock is happy to fulfil.

He said: “I’m really happy to be joining the Dragons. It’s a new challenge to come and play in Wales, a proud rugby nation.

“I’ve come from Auckland to be here on the other side of the world, but I’m enjoying my rugby and getting a taste of what Europe is like.

“The rugby is different from back home, but I’m learning a lot and hopefully I can bring my physical presence to the Dragons.”

The signing is likely to conclude Jackman’s recruitment drive with 13 other players arriving this summer in addition to centre Jarryd Sage and centre/wing Calvin Wellington, who came mid-season from Southern Kings and St Helens respectively.

Loosehead Ryan Bevington (Bristol), hookers Richard Hibbard (Gloucester) and Rhys Lawrence (Ealing), tighthead Aaron Jarvis (Clermont Auvergne), flanker Taylor (Worcester), back row forward Ross Moriarty (Gloucester), scrum-halves Rhodri Williams (Bristol) and Rhodri Davies (Rotherham), fly-halves Josh Lewis (Bath) and Jacob Botica (RGC 1404), centre Tiaan Loots (RGC 1404), wing Dafydd Howells (Ospreys) and utility back Jordan Williams (Bristol) will become Dragons.