CARL Meyer hopes to prove tomorrow evening that he is harder, bester, faster and stronger now he's a full-timer with Newport Gwent Dragons.

The 24-year-old from Pietermaritzburg near Durban grasped his chance to impress when handed an opportunity at Rodney Parade last season.

Meyer played five times and his exploits – strong under the high ball, booming right boot and nice distribution – resulted in his deal with Ebbw Vale in the semi-professional Principality Premiership being turned into a full-time contract.

His upward curve has continued in pre-season and the South African is poised to start at full-back when the Dragons get their Guinness Pro12 campaign under way at Connacht tomorrow (kick-off 7.30pm).

The windy Sportsground is a notoriously challenging ground for those in the back three but Meyer hopes to conquer the conditions to show the progress he has made.

"I am really looking forward to being a full member of the squad now and I hope to contribute as much as I can," said Meyer, who can also play fly-half and centre and is a long-range place kicking option.

"The main objective of coming over to Wales was to get a full-time contract and it's worked out pretty well. I am really grateful for the opportunity and am looking to do the best I can.

"It's quite a big jump going from the Premiership where you train two nights a week and have a game at the weekend but I've got used to the full days quite quickly.

"I've always seen rugby as a full-time thing anyway, when I had days off (at Ebbw Vale) I would do extra training."

But things have stepped up a gear this summer with Meyer, who was already a pretty imposing lump, reaping the rewards of hard graft.

"Under the conditioning coaches here we have all had specific programmes and weights sessions," he said. "Physically pre-season has been outstanding.

"I've managed to put on one or two kilos – my speed has gone up and so has my strength. That's through working in a full-time environment and always getting tips and being coached."

Lock Rynard Landman and prop Brok Harris aided Meyer's introduction into the Dragons set-up and now there is a South African quartet at Rodney Parade following the arrival of ex-Cheetahs scrum-half Sarel Pretorius.

"I've watched a lot of Sarel on TV through the years and it's great to play with such a high calibre player," said Meyer, who came through the Sharks academy. "He is really energetic and a threat around the ruck and will be good for us."

Director of rugby Lyn Jones names his side for the Sportsground at midday. Go to southwalesargus.co.uk/sport for the announcement and for live match updates on Friday evening.