Sam Scarfe signs new Dragons deal after Pontypool exploits
The 21-year-old enjoyed a strong campaign in Super Rygbi Cymru with Pontypool, making 14 appearances for the play-off quarter-finalists.
Scarfe, who made his Dragons debut in his old position of flanker at Glasgow in February 2024 because of an injury crisis, enjoyed a solitary outing for Filo Tiatia's side against Montpellier in the Challenge Cup clash in Newport.
The combative forward has agreed fresh terms and is now looking to push Elliot Dee, Brodie Coghlan, James Benjamin and Oli Burrows for action next season.
Scarfe said: 'I've played lots of minutes and learnt a lot from Pooler this year with the help of top players and coaches, which has been great for me.
'Dragons is my home club and I want to represent the badge as much as possible. The club is in a good place so it would be great to get the minutes down at Rodney Parade.
'Filo (Tiatia) has helped me a lot this year in understanding the game in a different way and seeing the opportunities available. I've also enjoyed picking the brains of our experienced senior boys as I continue to develop.'
Sam Scarfe crashing over for Pontypool (Image: NCR Photography)
Scarfe, who came through at Penallta, provides the Dragons with a different option at the heart of the front row thanks to his back-row background.
'Sam converted to hooker from seven about four or five four years ago,' said forwards Coach Sam Hobbs. 'He was a very good seven and his body type is suited to being a modern-day physical hooker.
'With Pontypool, he played a huge amount of rugby in the Championship, which was a tough education, but now in the SRC he's become a dominant force there and an outstanding prospect winning numerous player-of-the-match awards.
'I'm excited and believe next year will be a big season for Sam. His contact area is his superstrength and he's developed his ball carrying while his set-piece is going really well.'
Head coach Tiatia added: 'We've been pleased with Sam's progress and the minutes he has also been able to secure for Pontypool in the SRC.
'He's a hard-working young man who wants to keep improving, so we look forward to his continued development in our senior environment.'
Scarfe is one of the Dragons' many promising prospects who will back up the experienced figures in the squad next season.
Centre Joe Westwood, flanker/lock Ryan Woodman and hooker Brodie Coghlan grew in influence last season, while centre Harri Ackerman would have were it not for injury.
Full-back Huw Anderson, scrum-halves Che Hope and Morgan Lloyd, lock Barny Langton-Cryer and tighthead Luke Yendle got more opportunities while there were debuts for wing Harry Rees-Weldon, fly-half Harri Ford, props Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths and Owain James, lock Nick Thomas and back row forward Evan Minto.
The aim will be to balance more Dragons chances with learning in the middle for Newport, Ebbw Vale and Pontypool in SRC.
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