JACOB Botica is confident that he can keep a cool head when the heat is on to prove himself as a pro with the Dragons.

The 25-year-old fly-half is preparing for a first season at Rodney Parade after earning a chance thanks to his exploits with RGC 1404.

The fly-half, who qualifies for Wales next year, spent two campaigns up north, helping the Gogs establish themselves in the Premiership and lift the WRU National Cup in 2017.

But Botica knows that the step up to Guinness PRO14 is a big one – and that as a playmaker he will be expected to exude calm.

"I'd like to think my game management is pretty good, leading the boys around the field and keeping a cool head when pressure is on," he said.

"Goal kicking is another strength of mine – I was around 84 per cent last year and I've got to try to keep it above there.

"Tactically I like leading the boys around the field and in the Premiership we had a couple of big games where we were under the pump and had to keep cool heads.

"In the PRO14 and Challenge Cup pretty much every game will be like that. Even if the pressure is on you have to look like you are cool so that the boys don't sweat! It's down to the 9 and 10 to keep the boys nice and relaxed.

"The game is going to be a lot quicker and that's why pre-season on the 4G is helping.

"It keeps things fast and the boys are blowing out air, but it's pushing us to get fitter and stronger every day."

As the son of former All Black, and Wigan rugby league great, Frano and younger brother of Oyannax fly-half Ben, a one-time Dragons target, Botica doesn't lack role models and now he aims to follow them by flourishing as a rugby full-timer.

"I am loving every bit of it," said the right-footer, who has Gavin Henson, Josh Lewis and Arwel Robson as rivals at 10.

"Training was a bit of a shock from semi-professional after coming down from RGC.

"We trained three or four days up there but not at this intensity, so it has been a learning curve, conditioning the body and working extra hard to move up to that next level.

"It's been a long-time goal of mine. It's a good achievement and I am making my family proud, but now I've got to find my feet in the professional game and it starts in training and pre-season.

"I have to prove myself and try to get a starting role.

"I've always had the belief that I have the ability and work ethic to get here.

"I have had a good amount of people around me – coaches, family and friends – who have believed in me as well, so that's a big positive.

"With my father and brother being professionals, they have had encouraging words to get me to where I am now. Hopefully I can push on and stay a professional for as long as possible.

"The opportunity has arisen, so hopefully I can take it with both hands and kick on."