Dragons’ move for Australia international Tomane in the balance

The 30-year-old was set to head to Rodney Parade after spending two seasons with Guinness PRO14 champions Leinster.

Tomane won 17 Wallabies caps on the wing but director of rugby Dean Ryan had planned to predominantly field the versatile back at inside centre, providing another ball-playing option next to fly-half Sam Davies.

Negotiations were successful and the Aussie committed to the Dragons and was keen for the challenge, but the move could now be scratched for personal reasons amid the coronavirus crisis.

If the region agree to calling off the move then funds that were earmarked for Tomane are likely to be used to bolster their tight five.

The Dragons have a long-standing interest in Wasps lock Will Rowlands, who made his Wales debut against France in the Six Nations.

The 28-year-old is under contract and an early release would need to be negotiated to bring him in for next season.

Dragons chairman David Buttress liked a social media post commenting on the region bringing in Rowlands but if the giant second row, whose father is from Pontllanfraith, comes to Wales then he will have other suitors.

If Tomane doesn't head to Newport then Ryan is likely to settle for his existing midfield options.

Wales centre Nick Tompkins will arrive on a season-long loan from European champions Saracens to effectively replace Tyler Morgan, who has left for the Scarlets.

Jack Dixon and Connor Edwards are specialist 12s along with up-and-coming Aneurin Owen while Adam Warren and Tom Griffiths, who faces a long spell on the sidelines because of a serious knee injury, can play both midfield positions.

The Dragons have so far confirmed just one signing – Wales wing/full-back Jonah Holmes from Leicester – but the announcements are set to come after the Welsh regions agreed to hold fire during the coronavirus pandemic.

Cardiff Blues unveiled Wales lock Cory Hill as their big summer signing from the Dragons on Wednesday evening with the Rodney Parade region yet to announce the arrival of Welsh-qualified second row Joe Maksymiw from Connacht.

"There are people that we would love to talk about that are coming to Dragons. There is nobody leaving that hasn't been in the media so we are a stable organisation," said Ryan at the online A Night with Dragons.

"We can't address what that is until we know the money. We have to accept that the next few weeks are going to be about that before we can start making announcements.

"I don't think it would be palatable for us to be talking about new signings when we are talking about salary reductions or anything else.

"We have got understand the people we would like to come and play for us."