NICK Crosswell has found a home from home after leaving 'The Boneyard' for Rodney Parade.

The 29-year-old New Zealander signed for Newport Gwent Dragons in January and his arrival has coincided with an upturn in fortunes on home turf.

In the opening months of the campaign Lyn Jones' men spluttered in Newport, losing four of their first five fixtures.

But since February they have won four of six and host Edinburgh on Friday evening on the back of thrilling wins against Ulster, Cardiff Blues and Leinster.

Rodney Parade has been rocking, much to the delight of Crosswell who was used to the fervent backing of the Manawatu Turbos faithful at the FMG Stadium in Palmerston North.

"It's a special place and reminds me of our place back home, which we nicknamed 'The Boneyard'," said Crosswell, who played Super Rugby for the Hurricans, Highlanders and Chiefs.

"Once you get a culture there, people play for something and we've got that at Rodney Parade.

"We've got awesome supporters and there aren't massive, flash stands, it's quite a humble ground. I know that mates in other teams hate coming here, which is what we are after."

Crosswell, who penned a contract until the summer of 2017, has featured in all 11 games since heading north and will reap the benefits of a first stint of European rugby when he returns for pre-season.

"I'm picking up little bits of how rugby is played here," he said. "Before I signed Lyn said it was crucial getting me over here to get a feel for things and learn the systems. I'm looking forward to next year and getting stuck right in.

"It's more forward-dominated here," he continued. "It's not better or worse, it's just different rugby with more emphasis on the scrum, lineout and driving maul.

"Back in New Zealand loose forwards scrum for the hit and then pop up and for the first three or four weeks at every review Kingsley (Jones, head coach) was on to me about scrumming longer! I am just starting to get that now.

"It's been a bit of a mindset shift because we grow up with a ball in hand, running in open space throwing frilly passes and trying this and that.

"To flip things around and tighten up is a bit different but I enjoy the physical stuff and the confrontational side of the game."

And those aspects will be under the microscope this weekend against an Edinburgh side that demolished the Dragons in the tight in the humbling 45-16 European Challenge Cup semi-final loss at Murrayfield.

With a victory needed to cement a finish above rivals Cardiff Blues in the Guinness Pro12, the front eight must stand tall.

Crosswell said: "The tight game is their strength and they play to that. It starts up front, especially with the scrum, but we've done a lot of work on that and addressed those issues.

"We need to worry about doing our things right rather that what they will bring. We are excited by the challenge and the boys want to get one back on Edinburgh."