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Lee Byrne and Aled Brew have signed deals to join Newport Gwent Dragons next season.

The Dragons have beaten off competition from Cardiff Blues to land Byrne from French Championship leaders and Heineken Cup favourites Clermont Auvergne.

The 33-year-old is rated among the best full-backs in the world despite failing to add to his 46 Wales caps since facing Fiji at the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.

Byrne, who lined up for the Lions in the opening Test against South Africa five years ago but was cruelly ruled out of the remainder of that tour by injury, is married to Welsh-based newsreader Andrea Byrne.

He is currently sidelined by a dislocated shoulder suffered against the Scarlets in the Heineken last month but has been a massive hit during his three years with Clermont.

However, French rugby is a revolving door and age counted against him with his contract coming to an end and the Massif Centrale club looking to the future and younger talent.

But his acquisition will be a massive boost for the Dragons, because he will bring huge experience to bolster the ambition of coach Lyn Jones for Gwent to become Wales’ top region.

Nevertheless, he will face strong competition for the No.15 jersey at Rodney Parade from classy operator and fellow Welsh international Dan Evans.

The return “home” of the popular Brew from a two-year stint with French strugglers Biarritz Olympique will also be welcomed by Dragons supporters.

The 27-year-old has had two previous spells with the Men of Gwent, scoring 43 tries and 215 points in 108 appearances.