DRAGONS head coach Bernard Jackman played down speculation his region are on the verge of signing Wales forward Ross Moriarty, saying they would be "singing about it" if it were true.

The Gloucester and British Lions number eight was with his father, ex-Swansea and Wales international Paul Moriarty, at a Newport hotel a few hours before Friday night's Anglo-Welsh Cup clash between the Dragons and Scarlets at Rodney Parade, which the home side won 23-18.

Reports suggest the Dragons are closing in on the 23-year-old, who is out of contract with Gloucester at the end of the season and is hot property, but Jackman insisted that while they are keen on Moriarty, there is no "positive news" yet.

He also assured that if there was, the Dragons would not be keeping it quiet.

"Out of respect for all the teams who want to try and sign Ross, he will want to meet everybody. He is definitely going to listen to what they have to say," Jackman said.

"Unfortunately (for the Dragons), there is no news. Maybe the Scarlets have positive news. We have no positive news yet. If we were to sign him, we would be singing about it, we wouldn't be trying to keep it quiet.

"I can categorically say that he hasn't signed here."

Moriarty is currently injured with a recurrence of the back problem that saw him ruled out of the Lions tour to New Zealand this summer, having made his comeback for Gloucester earlier this month.

Jackman added: "The fact that we are being linked with him is irrelevant until we have his signature. That is where it is at. We would like to have him but we haven't got him. It is speculation."

However, with Wales players set to return from English and French teams due to the new 60-cap eligibility rule, Jackman said it was proving positive for Welsh rugby.

"The WRU deserve big credit for this. I have been targeting exiles and, when I speak to them, their mindset is all changed due to that rule. They want to come back to Wales and play international rugby," he said.

Jackman was speaking after seeing his side came from behind to beat the Scarlets to claim their first Anglo-Welsh Cup victory of the campaign.