Dragons co-captain Ben Carter will be fit for the start of the 2026-27 United Rugby Championship (URC) after recovering from an ankle injury he sustained with Wales.

The lock was ruled out of the Nations Championship defeat by South Africa in mid-July after a blow in training.

Carter, who had started Wales’ six previous games, was on crutches and saw specialists on his return to Dragons.

The 25-year-old did not need surgery and is working towards his side’s URC opener at Benetton on Friday, 25 September (19:45 BST).

“It’s not an issue now. He is going really well and is probably in the best nick that I have seen him,” said defence coach Dale MacLeod.

Carter made 17 appearances for Dragons last season – all of them starts – alongside nine games for his country in a breakthrough year in Test rugby.

“He is keen, refreshed and ready to get back into it but we are just doing the right thing and trying to get a good training load in him,” added MacLeod.

“He will get enough smashing and bashing this season without jumping into it now. He is fit and ready to go for collisions and game time, but we are just keeping him out of it.

“If you look at his body shape, he is working really hard and has massive incentives heading into the World Cup next year.”

Filo Tiatia’s side ran in 13 tries in a pre-season friendly win against Hartpury on Saturday and step things up against Scarlets at Llandovery’s Church Bank on Friday (19:00 BST).

Scrum-half Che Hope, who would have been a contender for Wales’ summer tour were it not for a hamstring injury picked up in March, is poised to feature.

He was given the Hartpury game off while Morgan Lloyd, Rhodri Williams and summer signing Ere Enari shared duties, and all scored tries.

Tight-head prop Rob Hunt’s strong first campaign with Dragons was ended by a ruptured hamstring at Ospreys at the end of January.

The South African had an operation and is also back in full training, but his workload will be managed.

Summer signing Terrell Peita, who will help fill the back-row void left by Wales number eight Aaron Wainwright, is currently playing for Northland in New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship.

The regular season ends on 4 October with eight teams progressing to the play-offs, which finish on 24 October.

Peita, who made his Super Rugby debut for Blues in May, will link up with Dragons after the tournament – with a debut likely in December after the break for the Nations Championship.

“Northland are going very well and he is living the dream – not many boys get to win the Ranfurly Shield,” said MacLeod, referring to the trophy that is currently held and defended by Peita’s team.

“Terrell is playing well, which is really good, and contracts have a say in when players can come when seasons don’t align, so that’s just the way it works out.”