RODNEY Parade icon Jason Forster has backed fiery Ross Moriarty to make a big impact at the Dragons – with fellow new recruit Richard Hibbard helping to keep the uncompromising Wales ace in check.

The duo have headed to Newport from Gloucester with hooker Hibbard already training with Bernard Jackman's squad in pre-season while back row forward Moriarty has been given an extended break following his summer Test exertions.

The 24-year-old, a Lions tourist last summer, started all three Wales games in June and caught the eye with his impacts with ball in hand and in defence, only to then see red.

Moriarty was dismissed for a chokehold in the closing stages of the second Test win against Argentina and a four-week ban means he won't pull on a Dragons jersey until at least the second week of the Guinness PRO14.

No-nonsense Forster, who made 109 appearances as a WRU National Cup winner with Newport before playing 73 times for the Dragons, believes the blindside/number eight's new club can channel that aggression.

"Ross is a wonderful player. He has had injury problems but has come back and we saw on the Wales tour that he is back to his barn-storming best," said the former back row forward, who scored a try when winning his solitary cap against the Pumas in 2004.

"To have a young man like that whose stock is on the rise coming to the Dragons is a huge positive and a big statement.

"There is a fine line between being aggressive and playing to the laws of the game, as we all saw against Argentina, but you just have to manage those type of players because Ross has that x-factor.

"The Dragons might just have to pull the reins on him a little bit sometimes and it will probably help that he has got Richard Hibbard there with him, someone who is another great acquisition.

"They are two tough rugby players who have been there and done it; it is a physical game and they will lead from the front and put their bodies on the line.

"They have the leadership qualities to bring the Dragons' younger players through and having players with experience there to show the way forward is something that we have needed for a few years."

South Wales Argus:

Forster, who will coach Hartridge in Division One East this season, was a leading figure in the Dragons side that started the regional rugby era strongly.

They finished third in 2004 and fourth the following year but every campaign since has been in the bottom half, the worst of which was 2017/18.

Jackman's men recorded just two wins in the Guinness PRO14 and finished the campaign with seven losses on the spin.

"They have brushed that under the carpet now and it's gone but what did happen was that we unearthed a few gems," said Forster.

"Youngsters who probably wouldn't have got an opportunity if others were fit like Aaron Wainwright, Jared Rosser and Dan Babos showed promise.

"And the Dragons have some proven, exciting players in the backs that get supporters on the edge of their seats when they get the ball.

"Everything starts up front, so hopefully some of the signings that have been made will provide the quality ball for those runners to show what they can do."