NEWPORT Gwent Dragons have confirmed the signings of Newport RFC captain Ollie Griffiths and Ebbw Vale star Carl Meyer on professional contracts at Rodney Parade.

The Argus revealed that South African Meyer was to join the Dragons earlier this week.

The 23-year-old, who is comfortable at full-back, centre and fly-half, made his Dragons debut against Exeter in the LV= Cup and went on to make four more appearances, scoring a cracking match-winning try against Ulster and featuring against the Scarlets at the Millennium Stadium.

Flanker Griffiths was named Black and Ambers captain for the 2014/15 campaign and is their youngest skipper in history.

The 19-year-old from Newbridge played for the Dragons under-18s before moving on to Newport and making his debut against Newcastle Falcons in the British and Irish Cup.

With more than 30 appearances under his belt for the Premiership side he gained more experience resulting in a call up in the Wales under-20s squad.

Griffiths went on to captain the Welsh youngsters against Scotland in their Six Nations campaign and made seven appearances for the Dragons in 2014/15.

Dragons director of Rugby Lyn Jones said: "Ollie has impressed his coaches and peers through sheer hard and determination during training, culminating in him making his debut for Dragons a year earlier than normal.

“So much so Sven Cronk (ex head coach of Newport RFC) appointed him captain of Newport RFC at 19 – where he has been outstanding in his performances.

“It’s great to see yet another young Gwent-born lad with bags of potential.”

Jones added: “Jason Strange and Ebbw Vale identified Carl some time ago; between the Steelmen and ourselves we brought Carl into Wales, where he has been instrumental in Ebbw having an outstanding season.

“He steps up into a full time environment next season, on the back of a successful debut against Ulster in March.”