ASHLEY Sweet will leave no stone unturned in his bid to prove himself as a professional at Newport Gwent Dragons, according to one of his second row mentors.

The 27-year-old from Pontypool has landed a one-year deal at Rodney Parade thanks to consistently strong performances with Principality Premiership champions Ebbw Vale.

Sweet came through the Dragons academy and played for Wales Under-20s alongside the likes of Sam Warburton, Leigh Halfpenny and Jonathan Davies but was released without making a regional appearance.

The lock spent a season with Cardiff RFC in 2009/10 but moved to Eugene Cross Park the following year and really started turning heads.

Former Dragons and Wales A second row Neil Edwards played a major part in helping Sweet flourish when head coach of the Steelmen and believes his development, reliability and hunger has earned an overdue shot at regional level.

"This is a couple of years later than I had anticipated but I am so pleased for him and his family," said Edwards, who was in charge at Newbridge last season.

"It's a one-year contract but I told him that he didn't want to be wondering 'what if' and I don't doubt he will get his teeth into it.

"He will give it his best shot and it's a matter of him getting his nut down, there's no reason why he can't break through.

"I know from when I went full-time that it might take some time to get used to the speed and physicality, not just of the games but training, but I back him to up his work rate and rise to it.

"At 27 he has got six proper years in him and I just hope he gets a shot early and keeps pressing the other locks in the squad."

Sweet has proved himself over six seasons with Ebbw, forming a formidable partnership with captain Damien Hudd in the boilerhouse and running their well-drilled lineout that played a big part in them winning the title.

Edwards believes it is his attitude to the extras in midweek that has allowed the lock to shine on Saturdays.

"He has always been a good player who moves well, has good footballing skills and hits the breakdown but the main thing that has changed over the years has been his attitude to training and his work ethic," who handed the Vale reins to Jason Strange in 2012.

"We had a good honest conversation about that and he stepped up to the mark. We pushed him all the time and he really got stuck into the analysis side of things

"We worked hard on teaching him how to run the lineout properly and he had that hunger to learn but also challenge you as a coach.

"Ashley is very grounded and is smart enough to take on board what he needs to do at that level while it also helps that he has worked under Ceri Jones (who joined as forwards coach this summer from Ebbw) for a few years and knows what to expect from him."

The Dragons return to pre-season training after a week off on Monday and head to north Wales for a training and team-bonding camp that culminates with a conditioning match against RGC 1404 on Friday evening.

That is followed by friendlies against Cardiff Blues (Rodney Parade on Friday, August 12), Ealing Trailfinders (Ystrad Mynach on Saturday, August 20) and Exeter Chiefs (Rodney Parade on Friday, August 26).

They kick off their Guinness Pro12 campaign with a trip to Belfast to face 2016 semi-finalists Ulster on Friday, September 2 before welcoming Zebre to Newport on Friday, September 9.