Wales hooker Dee set for Dragons return

Elliot Dee won his first Wales cap in 2017 [Huw Evans Picture Agency] Wales hooker Elliot Dee is in contention for a first Dragons appearance since the opening weekend of the season. The 32-year-old is a member of the touring party for the United Rugby Championship (URC) double-header in South Africa. Dragons face Stormers in Cape Town on Sunday (13:00 GMT) and then have a six-day turnaround to Lions in Johannesburg.

Dee is in the mix after a recovery from a shoulder injury suffered against Ulster at the end of September. "Elliot has been working really hard and competing with all the other hookers," said head coach Filo Tiatia. "I love the way that he has been really competitive in training - he has come close to blows in a couple of moments with other players.

" Fit-again Faletau back for Cardiff at rivals Bulls Wales six return for Scarlets at home to Zebre Dee has failed to hit double figures for appearances in the last three seasons for Dragons because of injury misfortune. The 56-times capped hooker, who played in all five Six Nations games in 2025, was an unused member of the Wales squad in Japan last summer. He started against Ulster on the opening weekend but was helped from the field with his right arm in a makeshift sling after suffering a blow when carrying strongly in the first half.

Dee hoped to return swiftly without surgery to be a member of Steve Tandy's first Wales squad. "He wanted to put himself right for the autumn series," said Tiatia. "There was collaborative discussion around how we could get him back early but it didn't quite work out "Elliot ended up having an operation on his shoulder and has worked his tail off to come back as soon as possible.