AT the moment he may be 'the other Rhodri' but the Dragons have another new scrum-half with designs on the number 9 jersey.

Rhodri Davies was the third of head coach Bernard Jackman's 14 signings when he agreed a deal to return to Wales from Rotherham.

The 26-year-old from Crymych in Pembrokeshire put pen to paper after Bristol's Rhodri Williams, a three times-capped international who will be eyeing a charge for Warren Gatland's World Cup squad.

Williams is expected to be Jackman's first-choice scrum-half but his fellow Rhodri, like the fit-again Tavis Knoyle and teenage prospect Dan Babos, won't roll over.

The Wales Sevens international is confident he can be a good fit for Jackman's desire for energetic half-backs.

"Some people call me a bit loose at times! Hopefully I will keep learning this year and control the game, because I like running about and keeping the tempo high," said Davies.

"Rhodri is the same, he is quick with a good kicking and passing game, so Bernard has brought both of us in to play a high-tempo game.

"You've got different types of scrum-halves and I'd like to think of myself as keeping the game high-tempo and keeping the back row guessing, so hopefully I can show that a bit this year.

"When you get a chance you have to impress, because there are three other good scrum-halves. I've got to put in good performances to put my hand up.

"It's really exciting and a nice challenge because it's a good place to be with so many new boys coming in. Hopefully it can be a good year for the Dragons."

Davies enjoyed a strong 2017/18 personally to win Rotherham's players' player of the year award after crossing for 10 tries but the Titans endured a tough campaign that ended in relegation from the English Championship.

But the ex-Llandovery scrum-half believes he has reaped the rewards of his risk in moving to Yorkshire.

"Going to Rotherham was probably the best thing that I have done, I had to think hard about moving so far away but the season went quickly and I've got the move here," said Davies.

"We struggled as a team but it wasn't a bad season for me. Bernard got in touch about coming back to Wales and there are exciting things going on at the Dragons, so it was a no-brainer really.

"This will be a learning curve for me because I have never really been with a region, I want to keep learning and working hard every day to see where it takes me.

"When I was with the Scarlets I was with Wales Sevens more, so this is my first proper crack in regional rugby and hopefully it will go well.

"It's been really good so far, there are so many new boys here that we have had to get to know each other but I think we have settled in now.

"We've been eased in but training is getting tougher now and it will be nice to get started with the pre-season games."

The Dragons have another week left in their first block of training with conditioning set to ramp up in July.

They play their first friendly against Ealing at Bedwas' Bridge Field on Saturday, August 11 (kick-off 2.30pm) before welcoming Northampton, their European Challenge Cup opponents, to Rodney Parade on Friday, August 17 (kick-off 7.30pm).

The final tune-up for the Guinness PRO14 is at Gloucester on Thursday, August 23 (kick-off 7.45pm).