WALES star Ross Moriarty says he was motivated by making the Dragons a destination of choice for top talent but insists he will just be “another cog in the wheel” at Rodney Parade after signing for next season.

The region pulled off a coup when they snapped up the powerful Gloucester back row forward on a two-year deal in November.

In-demand Moriarty could have had his choice of a number of more salubrious clubs but was won over by the Dragons and the chance to turn around the fortunes of the perennial strugglers.

“I met with Bernard Jackman a few times and I like the way he is,” said the 23-year-old. “He has got good expectations of the team in the following seasons, he has the backing of the new owners and the WRU.

“The Dragons have always been an underdog team. Even when I was a kid no one wanted to go to the Dragons unless you were from there. Why not make that change?

“There are a lot of good players signed for next season, I am just really looking forward to doing what I can to help the team.”

Moriarty and Gloucester teammate Richard Hibbard are the highest profile signings made by the Dragons for next season but the back rower is quick to point out that they are not miracle workers.

“I don’t see myself as a marquee player, I just see myself as another cog in the wheel that needs to be there,” he said.

“That is the attitude I will take to the club. I am not going to win games personally, but as a team and a collective we can work and become a good team. That’s what I want to happen there.”

Moriarty will win his 18th cap for Wales in the Six Nations opener against Scotland this afternoon, his first Test appearance since France in last year’s championship after being sidelined by a worrying back injury suffered on the Lions’ tour to New Zealand last summer.

The move over the Severn Bridge will ensure that he can continue to represent his country and avoid falling foul of the new 60-cap selection policy.

“After a tough couple of months, with new rules coming in with the WRU, contract negotiations, I am just relieved to have everything sorted out,” he said.

“I am happy with the way the Dragons dealt with everything – they were very professional.”

l Moriarty on his back injury nightmare plus more Six Nations on page 35