New centre Tom Griffiths has vowed to take the opportunity to impress at Dragons after agreeing a switch to Rodney Parade.
Welsh-qualified Griffiths will meet up with his new team-mates for the first time on Monday after a four-year spell with European and English champions Saracens.
And he admitted the chance to play in Wales was a long-term ambition he is now ready to fulfil.
“It’s an exciting opportunity for me to join the Dragons,” he said. “I used to go and watch Wales when I was younger with my dad, so playing here was something that I always had an interest in.
“When the opportunity came up I decided I wanted to make the most of it and take it.
“I’ve spoken with Dean Ryan and the things he has said to me, about where he sees Dragons going and where he wants the region to be, are really positive.
“I feel the potential here is phenomenal so hopefully good things are to come.”
Griffiths admits there will be plenty of new faces for him on day one, but he is keen to arrive with no pre-conceived ideas as he looks to impress.
“I’ve met a few of the lads before, but I am pretty new to everyone so it is an opportunity to get to know some new people,” he said.
“Sometimes it is nice to not know anyone and to come in with no assumptions made about you.
“At Saracens over the last few years I have struggled with some injuries at times and selection is hard,” he added. “The team they have has a lot of talent in it so opportunities can be few and far between.
“It will be nice to get away from that, and there are some fantastic players here too so I can develop my game differently.”
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I used to go and watch Wales when I was younger with my dad, so playing here was something that I always had an interest in...
