The Dragons are in dire need of a tighthead after Wales international Leon Brown was forced to retire before Christmas due to an ongoing neck injury.
Filo Tiatia has been busy bolstering the squad ahead of the 2025–26 season, with Wales internationals Seb Davies, Wyn Jones, and Thomas Young as well as Cardiff’s South African outside-half Tinus de Beer having already signed contracts.
Additionally, they lost seasoned campaigner Lloyd Fairbrother to retirement, and Dmitri Arhip, 36, is nearing the conclusion of his career.
As a result, Chris Coleman is the only senior tighthead signed for the upcoming campaign, making this position crucial in terms of hiring.
The Dragons have turned their attention to the South African market and are closing in on the signing of Cheetahs tighthead Hunt, although the deal has not yet been completed and they do have other options.
Hunt, who has previously played for the Blue Bulls, is 6ft 1in and 122kg, and as is usually the case with South Africans, is a strong scrummager.
The 28-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and is looking for an opportunity overseas. WalesOnline understands the Dragons are also in the market for a marquee signing, either at centre or the back three.
Playing budgets are expected to rise from £4.5m to £5.1m next season but each side is permitted two marquee players above the cap. To qualify as a marquee signing a side must spend in the region of £400,000 on that player.
Given Welsh rugby’s financial struggles, it is difficult to believe that any of the four professional teams—Cadil, Dragons, Ospreys, or Scarlets—would want to spend so much money on a single player.
However, David Wright, David Buttress, and Hoyoung Huh, the co-owners of Dragons, are eager to demonstrate that they are committed to making the struggling Welsh team a competitive force.
