URC: Welsh uncertainty won’t hit Dragons’ recruitment – Blumberg

Dragons are looking to make “three to four” signings and, after signing a new Professional Rugby Agreement with the WRU last year, will operate on a bigger player budget than this season.

Replacing talisman Aaron Wainwright is a priority after the Wales number eight opted to turn down contract offers in favour of a fresh challenge with Leicester.

“Losing Aaron was a massive blow for us as a club and we threw everything at keeping him,” said Blumberg.

“We offered him the opportunity to stay on favourable terms, but he explained that he wanted to experience something else outside of Gwent.

“With that in mind, replacing Aaron is at the forefront of our recruitment process and we have some great candidates that Filo and the team are talking to.”

Wainwright has made 131 appearances for Dragons and is currently showing what they will miss as one of Wales’ standout performers in the Six Nations.

“There is only one Aaron Wainwright so we have got to find someone who can do more than half the job,” said head coach Tiatia.

“It takes a while to find the right person when trying to replace someone like for like. We are talking to a lot of young men that fit the bill before we pull the trigger.”