Player Movements: Newport Gwent Dragons

Newport Gwent Dragons hasn't had impressive fixtures in the PRO12 this season, to change that, they have signed 8 new players to shuffle their squad for 2016/17.

Here are the new players joining the Dragon's set-up:

Sam Hobbs (signed 16 February 2016 from Cardiff Blues)

Brecon-born Hobbs, who was capped by Wales at U19 and U20 level, has made over 100 appearances for the Blues since making his debut in 2009.

He is signed with Dragons on a two-year deal.

Sam Beard (signed 22 February 2016 from Edinburgh Rugby)

Beard, who qualifies to play for Wales, has made 44 appearances for Edinburgh since joining from New Zealand side Bay of Plenty in 2013 and has scored two tries.

He has also signed to play for the Dragons for two years.

Nick Macleod (signed 29 March 2016 from Sale Sharks)

Macleod spent seven years at the Blues before making the move to Sale Sharks in 2008, where he spent eight years with the stint finishing at the end of this season.

Macleod makes the move to the Gwent region after making over 150 appearances for Sale Sharks and scoring more than 700 points.

Craig Mitchell (signed 11 April 2016 from Cardiff Blues)

Mitchell has won 15 caps for Wales and is a former captain of the U19 side.

He made his Wales debut during the summer tour of North America and Canada in 2009 and was part of the Six Nations squads in 2011 and 2013.

Patrick Howard (signed 22 April 2016 from Northampton Saints)

The 24-year-old played for the Stormers in Super Rugby and also had a spell with Munster last season.

Also in:

Darran Harris (from Rotherham Titans)

Tom Davies (from Cardiff Blues)

Ashley Sweetman (from Ebbw Vale)

Players out:

Taulupe Faletau (to Bath Rugby)

Matthew Pewtner (retired)

Hugh Gufstafson (to Ospreys)

Jason Tovey (to Edinburgh Rugby)

Andrew Coombs (retired)