Boss Dean Ryan is delighted to finally get his man – after revealing how he first tried to sign Jonah Holmes seven years ago!
Wales international Holmes has completed a switch to Dragons on a long-term deal after being released from the final year of his contract with Leicester Tigers.
The three-times capped wing will add extra firepower for Director of Dragons Rugby Ryan.
And speaking on a virtual media conference on Wednesday morning, the Dragons boss revealed it had been a long-term ambition to snap up Holmes.
“I’ve followed Jonah for a while,” admitted Ryan. “We had a look at him when I was at Worcester and tried to recruit him then.
“He was at Wasps and the time we were looking at him when he was having a lot of success with Leeds. Wasps, though, wouldn’t be flexible in terms of what it might look like so it didn’t happen.
“You miss that opportunity and he goes onto Leicester Tigers where he increases his successes and gets international recognition.
“It’s not just about looking over the last three or four months, I have been looking at Jonah for the last six to seven years,” he added.
“At Worcester it was about finding people that others hadn’t found. At Dragons we know there is not a huge amount of movement within regions so it is looking at the exile market as a chance for us to strengthen.
“Jonah’s ability to play in a number of positions for a squad like ourselves is hugely beneficial.
“There is also an attraction for him to come into us, play in a new tournament and also push on for, hopefully, more international honours.”
Ryan also hopes the arrival of Holmes continues the number of players from the region pushing for international recognition.
"Welsh regions are a balancing act between pushing people on to international honours, and creating enough stability for the region to keep moving," added Ryan.
"It's a carrot for us to seek aspiration and change the pathway that the Dragons have been, we saw guys getting international squad time last year and this (Holmes) is an increase on that."
It’s not just about looking over the last three or four months, I have been looking at Jonah for the last six to seven years...
