DAFYDD Howells has vowed to show Dragons boss Dean Ryan what he can do after the fit-again former Wales wing signed a contract extension.

The 25-year-old’s deal at Rodney Parade expired this summer but he wasn’t listed among the region’s leavers while continuing to negotiate.

An agreement has been struck – the length of the deal is undisclosed – and the speedster will now battle for starts in the back three with new boy Jonah Holmes, Jordan Williams, Ashton Hewitt, Jared Rosser, Owen Jenkins, Will Talbot-Davies and Rio Dyer.

Howells has the chance to prove his worth to director of rugby Ryan after being sidelined by a dislocated elbow in November just as he was starting to impress.

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“I’m really pleased and grateful to be given another opportunity to play for Dragons for the coming season,” he said.

“It’s been a while since I last played due to injuries so I’m really excited to get back out there and show what I can do.

“I think the progress we’ve made as a team over the past 12 months has been brilliant and I’m excited to be a part of the squad that continues to build on that.”

The winger, who won two caps against Japan in 2013, signed from the Ospreys in 2018 and has made 16 appearances.

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He impressed the Dragons staff with his attitude and desire to get back to fitness after his autumn injury and was nearing a return when the season was suspended.

Now he will join Hewitt and Williams as more experienced options in the back three, with Holmes aiming to be away with Wales on international duty in a Test-heavy schedule.

“Daf is determined to kick on as we return to rugby and play his part in helping us move forward,” said Ryan.

“His challenge now is to play regularly and intensify the competition we are building for places right across the backline.”

Ex-Wales loosehead Ryan Bevington, who played just once last season after suffering a knee injury against Munster on opening weekend, was in a similar situation to Howells and the Argus understands a deal is also in the offing.

The Dragons currently have Brok Harris, Aaron Jarvis and up-and-coming Josh Reynolds as options on the left of the front row, with Harris and Jarvis also covering tighthead.