THE Dragons are in talks about signing Wales speedster Jonah Holmes but the move is far from a done deal.

BBC Radio Leicester have reported that the Tigers are resigned to the 27-year-old wing/full-back leaving in order further his Test ambitions.

Stockport-born Holmes, who qualifies through his grandmother from Cwmllynfell, was first called up by Warren Gatland in 2018 and has made three international appearances.

The former scrum-half was selected in the Six Nations squad by new boss Wayne Pivac but failed to appear in the tournament, with Leigh Halfpenny, George North, Josh Adams and Liam Williams ahead of him in the pecking order.

Holmes, whose last cap was against Ireland in the World Cup warm-up clash in Cardiff, is keen on pushing for selection with a move to regional rugby and could head for Rodney Parade.

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He signed a contract extension with Leicester before his first Test call-up but agreeing new terms to stay in the East Midlands would make him ineligible under Wales’ senior player selection policy as he is under the 60-cap threshold for those playing outside the country.

However, the Dragons are not awash with cash and have more pressing needs than another back three player to join Jordan Williams, Ashton Hewitt, Jared Rosser, Owen Jenkins, Rio Dyer and Will Talbot-Davies.

Director of rugby Dean Ryan has been busy with contract renewals but is yet to make any signings for 2020/21 and top of his wishlist are a prop, lock and centre.

Nonetheless, the seriously rapid Holmes is a quality player – his strike rate is 24 in 45 games for the Tigers – and would be an attractive addition to the squad, especially if part of Wayne Pivac’s list of 38 elite players.

Under a new funding system the Welsh Rugby Union are picking up 80 per cent of the salaries for chosen international players.

Halfpenny, North, Adams and Liam Williams were ahead of Holmes in the Six Nations while Cardiff Blues duo Hallam Amos and Owen Lane featured at the World Cup.

The Scarlets and Blues are well stocked for players in the back three, leaving the Dragons and Ospreys as likely destinations should Holmes head for Wales.

However, announcements of new recruits are unlikely to come soon given that they could be considered poorly-timed when Welsh professional rugby is cost-cutting because of the coronavirus pandemic.

While new signings haven't been announced by the Dragons, Ryan has retained the services of the core of his squad with lock Cory Hill the only confirmed departure and centre Tyler Morgan linked with a move to the Scarlets.

A new deal for Aaron Jarvis was announced on Tuesday with the prop following Wales star Ross Moriarty, captain Rhodri Williams, Ollie Griffiths, Taine Basham, Josh Lewis and Rio Dyer in agreeing fresh terms.