FORWARDS coach Ceri Jones has bolstered the Dragons’ propping options by signing loosehead Jack Cosgrove on a two-year deal.
The 24-year-old from Coventry heads to Rodney Parade from Worcester to be reunited with Jones, who was his academy boss at the Warriors.
Cosgrove is set to battle for starts with Ryan Bevington and Brok Harris, who is out of contract but in talks with the region over an extension, with tighthead Aaron Jarvis and 20-year-old prospect Josh Reynolds also providing cover.
Jones was in charge of recruitment and retention while acting as interim head coach before the arrival of director of rugby Dean Ryan and was quick to add to his front row options.
“Jack is a talented young prop that I know well and who is very keen to now push on with his career,” said Jones.
“He has all the attributes to make a big impact at the Dragons and we feel he will really benefit from our environment, where he can learn from the senior forwards and also show his true potential.
“We’re looking forward to him linking up with us for pre-season and making a very positive impression over the coming seasons.”
The Scotland Under-20s international came through the ranks at Worcester before having spells at Edinburgh and Bristol.
He helped the Bears win promotion to the Premiership but was a fringe figure last season, making a solitary appearance off the bench against Wasps, and moved back to the Warriors on loan for the second half of the campaign.
“I’m really excited about the move,” said Cosgrove, who had loan spells at Doncaster, Malvern, London Scottish and Barker Butts in Coventry when coming through at Worcester.
“There is a real buzz around the region with the recent appointment of Dean Ryan. It’s a fresh start for me and I really want to be playing every week.
“I know Ceri from our time together at Worcester and he spoke passionately about the future at the region.
“But I know there will be no favours because we’ve worked together, I need to show what I can do from day one.
“I’ve got to get my head down and work hard in pre-season to impress and put a marker down. It’s an exciting prospect and I’m just looking forward to getting started.”
The Dragons signed Sam Davies last week and have secured the return of wing/full-back James McCarthy on a development contract after the 20-year-old from Newport left Munster.
However, there is unlikely to be any more summer transfer movement with new boss Ryan operating on a small budget and keen to assess those already on the books.
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