CARL Meyer has been backed to flourish in the professional environment at Newport Gwent Dragons after the Ebbw Vale back earned a full-time contract.

The 24-year-old South African, who can play fly-half, centre and full-back, headed for the Steelmen last winter on a three-year sporting visa in an attempt to fulfil his dream of becoming a professional rugby player.

It didn't take long for the former Sharks academy prospect's gamble to pay off – he made five appearances for the Dragons, impressed the regional management team with his work ethic and was given a deal.

Meyer, from Pietermaritzburg near Durban, first came over to Wales to help Ebbw win the Swalec Championship in 2013/14 and on his return was a key figure in helping the club finish second in the Principality Premiership.

And Jason Strange, the Steelmen's head coach, believes that there is plenty more to come from the utility back.

"I am delighted for Carl and he deserves a huge amount of credit after coming over and taking a gamble," said the former Wales A fly-half.

"He performed extremely well for us in the Championship and backed that up in the Premiership and the Dragons games that he played.

"Carl has shown that he is not just a quality player but a quality individual. I just hope that he gets the opportunity to play regularly next year because then he will show his potential.

"Going into the professional environment is only going to make him develop and grow as a player. He can only benefit from training every day with good players and coaches."

Meyer's chances of featuring for the Dragons are aided by his versatility and, sadly, the retirement of Ashley Smith, who had the best distribution skills of the region's midfield contingent.

The South Africa impressed at full-back in his Guinness Pro12 opportunities, catching the eye with his calmness under the high ball and siege gun right boot, but Strange believes 12 remains his strongest position.

"We've always seen him more as a 12 because of our style of play with a ball-playing centre but Carl has all the attributes to play in all three positions," he said.

- Tighthead prop David Young has left Newport Gwent Dragons after one season to join London Scottish.

The 30-year-old signed from Jersey on a two-year deal last summer but the former Scotland age-grade international failed to make an impact at Rodney Parade despite a CV that features previous spells at Leicester, Gloucester and Edinburgh.

Young played just three times – all of them appearances off the bench in the LV= Cup – and was behind Brok Harris, Dan Way and Lloyd Fairbrother in the pecking order.