NEWPORT Gwent Dragons believe they have got an unpolished diamond in Robson Blake with head coach Kingsley Jones tipping the Bedwas back rower to flourish thanks to hitting the gym.

The 21-year-old from Powys has signed a contract with the region after impressing in the Principality Premiership for the men from Bridge Field, who he joined last summer from Division One East champions Bedlinog.

The tree surgeon, who plays cricket for Ebbw Vale, will train with the Dragons two days a week until the summer and will then join full-time for 2017/18 with the option for another year.

The Rodney Parade side hope that Blake will follow the path of England and Gloucester number eight Ben Morgan, a similarly hefty and strong-running forward who caught the eye with Merthyr before the Scarlets helped him with his conditioning.

"Robson Blake gets better every time that he puts his boots on and is a pain in the backside in defence sessions, I can tell you," said head coach Kingsley Jones.

"He really has something, that kid. He's 132kg, has never been in the gym but has great footwork and is a real prospect.

"There was a player called Kristian Ormsby, who played for the Chiefs and New Zealand Maori (and Sale under Jones). He reminds me of him; a big guy who moves and can beat people.

"Robson has a lot to learn technically but is a raw talent. He's got a great attitude and is as tough as nails, he just needs to be in the gym and needs a pre-season."

Blake has been a leading figure for the Dragons Premiership Select XV in the British and Irish Cup while he also made his regional debut with a cameo off the bench against Leicester in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.

Some big hits and hard carries at Welford Road showed glimpses of his potential but Jones knows they must be patient and allow the prospect to learn from the likes of Lewis Evans, Ed Jackson and Nick Crosswell on the training paddock in Ystrad Mynach.

"The games in B&I are great for him, he's not ready yet to play for us and he is raw but I am really excited by him," said Jones.

Blake showed more promise when leading the charge for Bedwas in their Boxing Day win against Ebbw Vale that means it will take a freak set of results to deny them a title tilt when the Premiership split takes place on January 7.

They sit in fifth place in the table and only a wild game at Eugene Cross Park on Saturday when ninth-placed Ebbw Vale host eighth-placed Cardiff can deny their top-half finish being cemented.

Bedwas can seal the deal themselves when hosting Llanelli but if they endure a pointless afternoon then they will still be able to crack open the bubbly unless there is a draw at Ebbw with the hosts also bagging a four-try bonus or if the Blue and Blacks leave Gwent with a pair of bonus points.