SOUTH African Tiaan Loots is happy to hear harsh words from his new teammates as he attempts to grasp his chance as a professional at the Dragons.

This time last year the 26-year-old from Cape Town was working as a landscape gardener while playing for RGC 1404 in the Principality Premiership.

Abrasive Loots became a key figure for the north Walians after moving to Europe in 2014, helping them win promotion, establish themselves in the top flight and lift the WRU National Cup in 2017, scoring a try in the final at Principality Stadium.

His exploits have earned the chance to turn full-time and the Wales-qualified centre will join Gavin Henson, Jack Dixon, Adam Warren, Tyler Morgan, Connor Edwards and Jarryd Sage as a midfield option for Rodney Parade head coach Bernard Jackman.

Loots may be 26 but he is a novice as a pro and is keen to take on any advice that comes his way.

“I am enjoying it, playing alongside full-time players is a big change from where I was,” he said.

“I take on board anything that other players tell me, I learn from the positive criticism.

“That’s something that I didn’t have last season but now I am playing next to players who have been at international level.

“That is helping me a lot – when I make mistakes they give me pointers.”

Loots arrived at Colwyn Bay as a direct centre but RGC coach Mark Jones believes his time up north has added cuter touches to his game.

The back, who played for the Leopards Under-19s and 21s and then a Western Province invitational side in South Africa, is keen to keep learning.

“I worked a lot on my distribution and kicking skills with the coaches at RGC,” added Loots, who studied human movement, science and psychology in Potchefstroom before finishing his degree online up north.

“I have managed to get more weapons in my armoury.

“It’s the same here and all the coaches have been really good. Having a kicking coach helps a lot, to work on attacking kicks.

“I expected it to be good here but the set-up and everything going on is beyond my expectations.

“I am enjoying it so much, and now I will hopefully get some game time.”