DAN Baker has earned a one-year deal with the Dragons after impressing boss Dean Ryan on trial.

The number eight arrived in February until the end of the season with the chance to earn an extended stay.

The 28-year-old, who left the Ospreys last summer and spent the first half of the campaign in France’s second tier with Stade Montois, has made six appearances off the bench.

The Dragons are blessed with back row options but director of rugby Ryan believes strong-running Baker provides something different.

South Wales Argus:

He said: “We’ve been really pleased with Dan’s impact and the impression he has made with us.

“He brings a different dimension to our back row resources and offers us a different style to our game.

“Dan has been a really good acquisition and we look forward to him continuing to make his mark with us.”

Baker won two Wales caps in the summer of 2013 before taking on Ireland in a warm-up ahead of the 2015 World Cup.

His Ospreys career was derailed by injury misfortune but he is in line for a return to the matchday squad to face his former Ospreys teammates at Rodney Parade on Sunday.

The Rainbow Cup presents a chance to finish the season strongly before pushing to be a leading figure next season.

South Wales Argus:

“I’ve really enjoyed my time at the region and getting to work closely with Dean and the rest of the coaching team,” he said.

“There is fierce competition for places in the back row here and it’s been really good for me to be really challenged and pushed in a fresh environment.

“Dragons have big ambitions for the future and it’s exciting to know I will now be a big part of that.”