RGC will be without influential duo Tiaan Loots and Jacob Botica next season after the pair agreed a move to Pro 14 Dragons.

Bernard Jackman's struggling Pro 14 side have completed a double swoop for the players after impressing for RGC his term.

Outside centre Loots and fly-half Botica have enjoyed another successful campaign for the North Wales club after their cup-winning success in 2017.

Jacob, son of former All-Black player Frano, has followed his father’s footsteps by making a name for himself in Welsh rugby.

The playmaker was crowned the Principality Premiership’s player of the year as the Gogs lifted the WRU Knockout Cup and reached the end-of-season play-offs last term and has continued to put in match-winning displays this campaign.

Botica said: "It’s long been a goal of mine to play professional rugby, so to get the chance now at the Dragons with the rugby heritage in this part of Wales is a dream.

“The vision Bernard has is exciting and I’m just very grateful for the opportunity. I’m ready to get stuck into pre-season and start the hard work as I want to help push the Dragons to be contenders for the top spot over the four Welsh regions.”

Powerful centre Loots has been a go-to player throughout the last three seasons for RGC through their rise towards the top of the Premiership and he’s delighted to get his opportunity to show what he can do for the Dragons on a higher stage.

Loots said: “I’m grateful to Bernard for giving me this great opportunity to continue to improve my rugby and I’m determined to take my chance with the Dragons.

“Jacob and I have been to Ystrad Mynach to see the set-up and we’re just both excited to get down to South Wales this summer and get into pre-season.”

Head coach Jackman added: “We have been tracking both Jacob and Tiaan since September and they really impressed us week in week out, in the Principality Premiership.

“They have both benefited from the coaching set-up and excellent environment up at RGC and we feel that they have the talent and the drive to help us grow as a region over the coming years."