Richard Hibbard: Wales and Lions hooker earns Dragons deal

The 37-year-old has signed a contract extension after convincing director of rugby Dean Ryan that he has enough in the tank for another campaign with a series of impressive performances at the heart of the front row.

Hibbard’s form was shaky at the start of the season but he came to the fore while Elliot Dee was with Wales and Ellis Shipp was sidelined by a knee injury.

The veteran started played the full 80 minutes against the Ospreys, Ulster and Glasgow, impressing with physicality around the park and strong work at the set piece.

Hibbard, who made his professional debut with the Ospreys in September 2004, is currently sidelined by a hand injury but will return for another season after the summer.

He turns 38 in December and could feature at an older age than his former teammate Ian Gough, who was 38 years, five months and seven days when he played his last Dragons game against Edinburgh in 2015.

“I’m really enjoying playing with and for this group and excited by what the future holds for us,” he said.

“Dragons have a fantastic core in place now, from Dean and the coaching team to the backroom staff and the special young talent being produced by the region.

“To be part of this journey, to become the team we should be, is amazing and I’m determined to continue to play my part in whatever way I can for the Dragons.”

Hibbard arrived from Gloucester in 2018 on a three-year deal and has shown his durability by playing 56 games.

It is a tally that only scrum-half Rhodri Williams (62) and lock Matthew Screech (58) can better over the same period.

The Dragons will look for the veteran, who played all three Lions Tests against Australia in 2013 and won the last of his 38 Wales caps in 2015, to help mentor the next generation while also adding trademark oomph when required.

“The last couple of months he’s played some of his very best rugby. Every time we have gone to him his level of performance and minutes played have been outstanding,” said Ryan.

“He’s determined to continue making an impression in our environment and the experience he brings is vital in developing others around him.”

The Dragons have Dee, Shipp and Hibbard as frontline options for next season, with Brodie Coghlan coming through the academy.

On-loan Taylor Davies started against the Scarlets, his parent club, in the Rainbow Cup last weekend with Rhys Lawrence coming off the bench after returning to Rodney Parade on a deal until the end of the season in October.