Dragons sign prop Latu as Brown has surgery

Tonga prop Paula Latu (left) played in the 2023 World Cup which Wales tight-head Leon Brown (right) missed out on

Dragons have signed Tonga prop Paula Latu on a short-term deal as cover for injured Wales tight-head Leon Brown, who has had neck surgery.

Brown has played three times for Dragons this season but missed Wales' autumn international defeats against Fiji, Australia and South Africa because of injury.

The 28-year-old has played 24 internationals for Wales and made his most recent Test start in the Six Nations defeat against France in February 2024.

Brown missed the rest of that season because of injury and had his game-time managed for the start of the 2024-25 campaign.

He was not considered by Wales for the autumn internationals.

Brown is now facing an unspecified period of time on the sidelines.

Luke Yendle underwent knee surgery this week, leaving Chris Coleman and Dmitri Arhip as the fit senior tight-heads in the Dragons squad.

The absence of Brown and Yendle has seen Dragons sign Latu from New Zealand side Southland Stags.

Latu, who can also play loose-head, has won five caps for his country, having made his debut in a World Cup warm-up match against Canada in 2023.

The 28-year-old came off the bench in Tonga's win against Romania at the 2023 World Cup, as well as making three replacement appearances in the 2024 autumn internationals.

"We're pleased to have Paula with us," said Dragons' interim head coach Filo Tiatia.

"He arrived Monday, linked up with the group, and he will be a good signing for us.

"Paula is a ball-carrying prop, but he can also play. He's an athlete and a young man still learning his craft who we can work with.

"[Dragons forwards coach] Sam Hobbs has looked closely at him and likes what he sees, so it's an opportunity for Paula."