ELLIS Shipp will try to put the heat on Wales internationals Elliot Dee and Richard Hibbard after the up-and-coming hooker signed a new two-year contract with the Dragons.
The 22-year-old from Newbridge has jumped up the pecking order ahead of the more experienced Rhys Lawrence, whose contract expires in June and is heading for the exit.
Shipp made his Dragons debut under Kingsley Jones when he was a replacement in the Guinness PRO14 derby against Cardiff Blues in Caerphilly in 2016.
After featuring nine times in Bernard Jackman's first season at the helm – including a first start at Leinster – he failed to appear in 2018/19.
However, he returned to the fold under director of rugby Dean Ryan as back up to Hibbard while Dee was at the World Cup.
Shipp finished the campaign with a trio of starts and will aim to press on when the Dragons are given the green light to return to training.
"Ellis has impressed with his attitude this season and has performed well when he has earned an opportunity," said Ryan.
"He is eager to continue to develop here and learn from the senior players around him."
Shipp will not only be able to pick the brains of Dee and Hibbard but will learn from ex-Wales hooker Mefin Davies, who is arriving from Worcester as forwards coach.
"I'm happy to be signing a new contract at my home region and looking forward to the future at the Dragons," said the hooker in a brief statement, clearly preferring to do his talking on the pitch.
The re-signing of Shipp means that Lawrence, who has posted a personal highlights reel on social media, will leave the region after being a fringe figure last season.
The 31-year-old from Swansea, who signed from Ealing Trailflnders two years ago, made just five outings off the bench.
His departure is likely to lead to the Dragons looking for more cover at hooker given that Dee will be away for large chunks of the season with Wales – and a Test-heavy schedule is expected because of the financial impact of coronavirus – and Hibbard is 36, although he has proved to be durable since arriving from Gloucester in 2018.
The former Wales and Lions forward signed from Gloucester on a three-year deal and has made 36 appearances.
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