NICK Macleod is aiming to be a calming influence on the Newport Gwent Dragons three-quarters, but doesn't intend to stand in the way of the young talent having a crack.

The 33-year-old from Cardiff has returned to Wales after a successful eight-year spell in the Aviva Premiership with Sale Sharks.

The fly-half has been signed to add experience to the back line and will be charged with pulling the strings as the Dragons attempt to fulfil their pre-season pledge to play a more expansive game.

However, a more daring approach doesn't mean kamikaze rugby and Macleod will be a key figure in Friday's Guinness Pro12 opener at Ulster as Kingsley Jones' men attempt to find the right balance.

"There are players here with the ability to play an attractive brand of rugby and do some exciting things," he said.

"We have the players out wide to do some special things. There is plenty of young talent and hopefully there will be plenty of excitement when we can get the ball in their hands.

"There's the enthusiasm of youth that you want to play from everywhere and if it's on, we want to play. That's going to be our ethos but hopefully at times I can rein it in and be the cool head among the hotheads!"

Macleod, who can also run at full-back, is one of eight new recruits as the Dragons attempt to respond to a hugely disappointing 2015/16 in which they won just four league game.

While none of them could be classed as marquee signings, the fly-half is confident that they add value to a tight-knit squad.

"There's huge amounts of talent and ability throughout this region; I knew that before I came here and it was proven to me the moment we stepped on the training field on day one," he said.

"There's homegrown talent that is ready to be unleashed, a brilliant work ethic and togetherness.

"Kingsley has mentioned there are no stars as such in this team but our mindset has got to really work as 15 brothers.

"It doesn't always work throwing cash at a problem and buying in players who don't necessarily work as a team. It's about creating relationships between players and having guys who are willing to fight for each other."

Macleod's role isn't just limited to the pitch and he will be passing on his knowhow to Dorian Jones, Angus O'Brien and Arwel Robson at the region's Ystrad Mynach training base.

"I said to Kingsley when he talked about mentoring that first and foremost I want to be playing," said Macleod.

"You want to play every game and I am putting myself forward and battling against the other 10s; whoever is playing well will get the nod and that competition will hopefully drive us to all play better.

"We've got some great 10s here already so hopefully I can aid them and add a bit to the team myself because I want to play as often as I can."

Macleod is set to wear 10 in Belfast on Friday after starting the pre-season games against Cardiff Blues and Exeter. O'Brien is likely to be his deputy as Dorian Jones is on the comeback trail from a pelvis problem.