FLANKER Jevon Groves has left Newport Gwent Dragons and is poised to return to Welsh rivals Cardiff Blues.

The 26-year-old from Llantrisant was out of contract and was offered a fresh deal on reduced terms by the Dragons.

The athletic back row forward has instead accepted a contract with Wales Sevens and is set to head back to the Blues, who released the former Wales Under-20s captain in 2008, as part of the deal.

He will be reunited with coach Paul John at the Arms Park, the man who made him captain of his country at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi four years ago.

Groves made 20 appearances for the Dragons this season ¬– taking his tally to 66 over five seasons – and scored one try, a superb solo effort to salvage a draw against Zebre in Parma.

He played for Cross Keys against Pontypridd in Sunday's Principality Premiership final and has also been assistant forwards coach at Pandy Park this season. Next term he will either play for Ponty or Cardiff when not required by the Blues or Wales Sevens.

Groves is the second back row forward to swap Newport for Cardiff after Ieuan Jones, 20, penned a deal with the Arms Park outfit.

The Dragons look likely to use captain Andrew Coombs on the blindside as well as second row next season following the summer signings of Ligtoring Landman and Ian Gough, who join burgeoning locks Cory Hill Matthew Screech and Joe Davies in the squad.

Wales Under-20s back row forwards Scott Matthews and James Benjamin, who are set to be influential players at June's Junior World Championship, will also figure more prominently.

- Former Dragons back row forward Jamie Ringer has joined Glamorgan Wanderers as head coach.

The 37-year-old, who played 140 times for the Rodney Parade region, will work alongside ex-Newport, Pontypool and Ebbw Vale back Nick Wakley at the Swalec Division One East outfit.