Dragons tempt Parks from France

Parks says he wants to add to his four Wales caps

Newport Gwent Dragons have brought former Wales flanker Richard Parks back to his home region on a two-year deal.

Parks, 29, had a year left on his contract with French side Perpignan, who are among the Dragons' opponents in the Heineken Cup.

But Perpignan have agreed to release him early after Parks failed to get regular first-team rugby last season.

The Dragons have also announced the signing of South African former Border Bulldogs loose-head prop Alistair Lyon.

Interview: Richard Parks

Parks, who won the last of his four Wales caps against Scotland in 2003, began his career with Newport before moving to Pontypridd, Celtic Warriors and Leeds.

He hopes the move back to Wales will improve his chances of winning a recall to the national squad.

"I still feel I am good enough to play for Wales," he told the Western Mail. "It's a really competitive environment in the national squad, with a lot of good players coming through, which is fantastic for Wales.

"But I certainly believe I have the ability to get back there. The desire to play for my country again was obviously a factor to come back to Wales.

"But, for me, the most important thing is getting back to full fitness and trying to cement my place with the Dragons."

Prop Lyon played for French Second Division side Racing Club Chalonnais last season and Dragons coach Paul Turner said he will add some much-needed weight to the front row.

"We have looked to strengthen our resources at prop for quite a time and we have heard good reports on Alistair," said Turner.

"We did our research and he will add to the strength in depth and push Adam Black, who was one of our players of the year last season.

"He will also complement a good young signing in Huw Gustafson."