JACK Dixon is up for the fight for midfield spots at Newport Gwent Dragons after enduring a nightmare 2015/16.

The 21-year-old from Newbridge is eyeing a starting spot in the Guinness Pro12 opener against Ulster in Belfast on Friday, September 2.

The tussle for starts at centre this season has intensified with Pat Howard and Sam Beard arriving from Northampton and Edinburgh respectively to join Dixon, Wales international Tyler Morgan, last season's ever-present Adam Warren, Adam Hughes and Ross Wardle.

But stiff competition doesn't bother Dixon – and hunger isn't a problem after spending much of the last campaign on the sidelines with a career-threatening injury.

The powerful runner was fresh back from Wales' World Cup training camp when he suffered what seemed like an innocuous blow against the Scarlets in an August friendly. It was in fact a grade-four kidney tear and specialists warned him that his rugby career was in jeopardy.

Thankfully Dixon got the all clear and returned in the closing weeks of the season, playing in the European Rugby Challenge Cup semi-final at Montpellier and against the Scarlets at the Millennium Stadium.

But a season that had started so promisingly with time in Warren Gatland's squad was a write-off, and Dixon wants to make up for lost time.

"I want to get as many games as I can, keep building and get a bit of form back and I am enjoying things at the moment," he said.

"I had a handful of games towards the end of last season but this is a fresh start for me now and I have tried to forget last year because it was a disaster."

"In the last two or three years we have struggled with injuries at centre," he continued. "But at the moment there is more competition in training, everyone is working hard and we are all looking forward to the start of the season.

"There's big competition and we will all see who the coaches pick against Ulster; they are a bit more spoilt for choice this year."

A clue will be given on Thursday lunchtime when the Dragons name their side that will face Exeter in their final tune-up at Rodney Parade on Friday (kick-off 7.30pm).

They head into that game against the Aviva Premiership runners-up on the back of a disappointing 41-21 defeat to Ealing Trailfinders in Ystrad Mynach, Dixon one of the few senior players in a youthful side.

"It was a chance for some of the younger members of the squad to get game time and while we lost, we are not going to dwell on it," said the centre, who was captain for the afternoon.

"We have got things to work on, we know that, but we are not panicking and have the chance to put some wrongs right (on Friday).

"Exeter will be a good test for us and I'd expect our coaches will put out a strong team to build towards Ulster."

The Chiefs have enjoyed pre-season wins against the Scarlets and Ulster in Devon.