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Jackman's Dragons targeting Welsh-qualified Kiwi utility back
By Alex Shaw
Former Scarlets utility back Michael Collins has been linked with a move to the Dragons this summer, as Bernard Jackman continues to strengthen ahead of the 2018/19 season.
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Collins, who is Welsh-qualified through his grandmother, has been donning the 15 jersey for the Blues so far in Super Rugby this season, but he is also an adept centre, having starred for the New Zealand U20 squad in 2013.
The Dragons have already targeted a number of Welsh-qualified players, securing the signatures of Ross Moriarty and Richard Hibbard from Gloucester, Ryan Bevington, Jordan Williams and Rhodri Williams from Bristol, as well as Rhodri Davies, Josh Lewis and Huw Taylor.
With the Newport-based region having pushed through a number of youngsters this season, the squad depth at Rodney Parade is beginning to look much healthier than it has in recent years, but Collins is a player of the calibre that he would likely be competing for a starting spot next season, if the Dragons were to bring him in.
The 24-year-old has started three of the Blues’ four Super Rugby games so far this season and is clearly valued by head coach Tana Umaga but with All Blacks caps not in his immediate future, the lure of financial security that European rugby offers, as well as potentially putting himself into selection contention for Wales, could be too much for Collins to ignore.
With Tyler Morgan and Hallam Amos both on National Dual Contracts and regulars within Wales squads, as well as the latter recently being called up by the Wales 7s squad for the upcoming Commonwealth Games, the Dragons could definitely use some extra depth in their back line.
