THE Dragons are lining up a move for Wales fly-half/centre Owen Williams as Bernard Jackman continues his Rodney Parade recruitment drive.

The region have been busy in the transfer market as they reshape their squad for next season but are still hunting a game controller.

They believe that Gloucester's Williams fits the bill as a fly-half, although the 26-year-old still has a year to run on his contract at Kingsholm.

The Dragons have already snapped up Ross Moriarty and Richard Hibbard from the Cherry and Whites but would need to buy Williams out of his deal.

That would be worth the outlay for a proven campaigner to give direction to a young back line, especially as current first choice 10 Gavin Henson will turn 37 next season.

A move back to Wales in World Cup year could appeal to the former Scarlet because he has endured frustration as part of Warren Gatland's squad in the Six Nations.

After knocking on the door for several years thanks to impressive displays with Leicester, Williams made his Test debut against Tonga last summer and was then handed the 12 jersey for the autumn internationals against Australia and New Zealand.

He was seen as an important figure in Wales' new wider style but was unavailable for the Test against South Africa because the game was outside the international window.

That allowed Hadleigh Parkes to step in and impress against the Springboks and the Scarlets centre has kept his spot for the Six Nations.

Williams has not been selected in the tournament and his presence in Test camp has had a knock-on effect at Gloucester given that he returns to the Cherry and Whites late in the week.

Gatland has frequently spoken of the advantages of players being based in Wales and said ahead of the Scotland Test: "It doesn't help when you have to go back.

"English-based players had to go back last week and aren't available in fallow weeks. It's definitely an advantage to be based in Wales.

"You have got to prioritise when you're planning training. If a player isn't available because he's got to go back to his club he's at a disadvantage."

Jackman said last month that he was working on a signing that would "cause quite a stir" and snapping up Williams would certainly be a coup.

However, if the move doesn't come off then the Dragons have other irons in the fire at fly-half and are also closing in on an overseas lock as Jackman adds to the eight confirmed recruits for next season.

The Dragons have so far signed Moriarty and Hibbard, scrum-half Rhodri Williams, utility back Jordan Williams and loosehead Ryan Bevington have signed from Bristol, Bath fly-half Josh Lewis, Worcester lock/back row Huw Taylor and Rotherham scrum-half Rhodri Davies.