Dmitri Arhip: Dragons sign tighthead prop on short-term injury cover

Dmitri Arhip has not played since suffering an Achilles injury in February 2023

Dragons have signed former Ospreys and Cardiff prop Dmitri Arhip on a short-term injury cover deal.

The 35-year-old Moldovan made over 100 appearances for the Ospreys across five seasons, before joining Cardiff where he played 71 times.

The Dragons have seven games left in their United Rugby Championship season.

"Dmitri has been one of the best scrummaging props in the URC over many years and is a superb role model," said Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan.

"He has been with us for several months getting back to full fitness and he is now in fantastic shape and ready to make an impact for us.

"His vast experience will be a huge boost for us during this spell where we are without several front rows."

Lloyd Fairbrother is currently sidelined with a calf injury, Leon Brown has not featured since picking up an injury while playing for Wales in the Six Nations, and Nathan Evans is still out with concussion.

As a result, Chris Coleman starts for the Dragons against Bulls on Saturday, with Luke Yendle among the replacements.