CENTRE Nick Tompkins is heading for Rodney Parade but the Dragons have signed another Wales international who is an option at 13 – Jonah Holmes.

The speedster starts a three-year contract with the region on Monday after agreeing an early release from his deal with Leicester.

The 27-year-old scored 24 tries in 45 games from the Tigers' back three and his exploits earned the first of three Wales caps in 2018.

Holmes is heading to the Dragons in a bid to boost his Test chances after Leigh Halfpenny, Josh Adams, George North, Liam Williams and Johnny McNicholl got the nod during the Six Nations.

However, director of rugby Dean Ryan is also mulling over giving the rapid and elusive runner a go in his midfield when Tompkins (pictured below) is not available.

South Wales Argus:

"Jonah is a wing/full-back but I might push him in at 13 occasionally as well," said Ryan, who will have Tompkins and Adam Warren as specialist options.

"He is another player who has got great line-breaking ability and it's about us finding the best way of getting the best out of him.

"We will find out (if he has the skills for midfield), I don't see him as a 13 but I just see his versatility.

"If you are a line-breaking full-back/wing, there are times that it's possible to look at it and at times for a squad, as we saw from some of the challenges last year, the ability to play a number of position is hugely useful."

Holmes has been signed to join fit-again Jordan Williams, Ashton Hewitt, Jared Rosser, Owen Jenkins, Will Talbot-Davies and Rio Dyer as options in the back three.

South Wales Argus:

"We've got some great developing players in those positions, people like Will Talbot-Davies and young Rio coming through," said Ryan.

"Jonah is another person that allows us to be more consistent week in, week out, accommodate people going to international rugby and still keep some of our best players developing.

"That will require some versatility and that's what the attraction was with Jonah."

READ MORE: Ryan targeting more Wales exiles for Dragons

The Dragons could keep another name in the mix for the back three as wing/full-back Dafydd Howells, who won two caps against Japan in the summer of 2013, is in negotiations as his contract comes to an end.

The 25-year-old was denied a chance to press for a new deal by the coronavirus pandemic after recovering from a dislocated elbow suffered against Zebre in November.

Howells was not on the region's list of leavers and could stay at Rodney Parade to add to the 16 appearances he has made since joining from the Ospreys in 2018.

Meanwhile, Connacht have confirmed that Dragons-bound lock Joe Maksymiw is leaving Galway.

The Welsh-qualified forward, 24, will tussle with Matthew Screech and Joe Davies for a starting spot after the departure of Cory Hill to Cardiff Blues.

Samoa international lock Brandon Nansen is, like Howells, in talks about extending his stay at Rodney Parade.