THE Dragons are hoping that South African trialist Chris Hollis can provide them with a power threat from the wing as he prepares for a swift reunion with the Stormers.

The 25-year-old, 6ft 3ins tall and broad-shouldered, was signed last week on a short-term contract to bolster the squad after Corey Baldwin was allowed to leave his one-year deal early to play Shute Shield rugby in Australia.

Hollis’ Dragons future will be decided at the end of the campaign, but it is likely the contract will roll into next season.

He has three games left of the United Rugby Championship to show what he can do with derbies against the Ospreys in Swansea and Scarlets at Cardiff City Stadium Judgement Day after a clash against the Stormers on Friday.

Hollis spent the season with the URC play-off hopefuls but his only action came in an exhibition match against Northampton at Franklin’s Gardens.

Now he is preparing to throw a spanner in the works of the South Africans’ bid for the top eight.

South Wales Argus: SIGNING: Chris Hollis has signed for the Dragons from the StormersSIGNING: Chris Hollis has signed for the Dragons from the Stormers (Image: Dragons RFC)

Hollis has played centre but the Dragons primarily see him as a physical winger to rival Jared Rosser for starts.

“Chris is taking a chance by coming here but he just wants to impress and play. We can provide him with that opportunity that he is desperate for,” said head coach Dai Flanagan. “ “I coached against him when I was at the Scarlets, he stood out and he is a player that I have tracked.

“We see him as a wing and if it goes to plan then he could be a physical option at 11 next year along with Jared and [Wales Under-20s international] Harry Rees-Weldon.

“They are all big men and then we have three quick wingers in Rio Dyer, Ewan Rosser and Oli Andrew plus Ashton Hewitt who, when is back from injury, can be both with the power and speed elements.”

The Dragons are aiming to finish with a flourish at Rodney Parade by claiming a first South African scalp since turning over the Cheetahs in the last fixture before the Covid pandemic.

So far this season they lost 69-14 to the Sharks in Durban and 49-24 to the Lions in Johannesburg.

The Rodney Parade clashes did give some reason for optimism, despite the scorelines.

The Sharks won 29-9 in a Challenge Cup then the Bulls enjoyed a 31-10 triumph to boost their URC play-off charge, but on both occasions it was tight until South African power told in the closing stages.

Stormers boss John Dobson has said that they are going “full metal jacket” in Europe against the Dragons and Connacht as they hunt the play-offs, with their Springboks touring.