WINGER Corey Howells has left the Dragons academy to move to Cardiff Blues on a development contract.

The Wales Under-18s international had been playing for Newport RFC in the Premiership this season, scoring one try from six appearances, but has now made the move to the capital.

Howells, who came through the ranks at Newport High School Old Boys, was one of a glut of young speedsters on the books of the Rodney Parade region.

So far this season they have given regional game time to Wales Under-20s internationals Will Talbot-Davies, George Gasson, Jared Rosser and Joe Goodchild while rapid winger Rio Dyer, 17, was a travelling reserve at Northampton in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.

Howells’ fellow Under-18s winger James McCarthy, another from NHSOB, left the Dragons in the summer to take up a chance with Munster.