HEAD coach Kingsley Jones believes Newport Gwent Dragons will profit from Ben White's no-nonsense approach after signing the flanker on loan to help with their back row injury crisis.

The 32-year-old Australian arrives on a three-week deal and trained with his new teammates yesterday ahead of Friday's Guinness Pro12 clash with Ulster in Belfast.

White, who headed to the Chiefs in 2011 after five seasons with Cardiff Blues, is primarily an openside but at 6ft 4ins has the bulk to slot in at blindside.

That is timely as the Dragons are down to their last two specialist back rowers in Nic Cudd and James Benjamin and were forced to field lock Rynard Landman as an emergency 6 in last Friday's win against Leinster when Lewis Evans suffered a recurrence of a calf problem in the warm-up.

Things got worse when Nick Crosswell limped off with a foot injury to join Ed Jackson (hamstring), Ollie Griffiths (hamstring), James Thomas (back) and Andrew Coombs (knee) on the injured list.

"Ben is a good player with lots of experience and it's a timely signing given our problems in the back row so we are grateful to Exeter for helping us out," said head coach Jones, who hopes Jackson may be fit again in a week or so.

"He is a tough, committed uncompromising player full of energy and with a great work rate. He slotted in seamlessly at training and hopefully it will be of benefit to all parties over the next three weeks."

Exeter boss Rob Baxter confirmed that there is an immediate release clause in the deal in case the Chiefs are caught short.

He said: “It’s a good opportunity for him to go up there, get some quality game time under his belt, and keep himself match-fit for what is a big block of Premiership games coming up for us.”