CHRIS Anderson accepts that he is the unknown quantity in the Newport Gwent Dragons ranks when they open up their new Celtic League campaign against Cardiff Blues at the Arms Park tonight.

The gloves are off - literally, knowing how Anderson loves to get his squad into the boxing ring - and all the speculation will end about how the Dragons will fare under a man who has never even coached rugby union.

He enjoyed a highly successful career in rugby league in Australia, guiding them to World Cup glory, but now comes a complete change and tonight marks the first real step.

"I'm the unknown quantity, I'm unknown even to myself and I've got no idea what's going to happen," joked Anderson. "But I'm excited about what's in front of us, it's the first time this group has been under pressure and we've got to approach it with confidence.

"There are expectations on us, but it's not a burden. I see it as a challenge. Maybe some teams underestimated us last time and won't now, but we're prepared for that.

"We haven't done anything yet, the process starts tonight. I don't expect a well oiled machine straightaway, different players have come in and the combinations are not there yet, but we'll all give it 100%.

"For me it will be how we go about winning and about how we play. If we play as a unit we should be tough to beat.

"I can't wait to see the players under pressure, we need to handle that pressure. We've got good players, but it means nothing if we can't handle the pressure."

Anderson has rapidly acquired a reputation for being a fitness fanatic and a hard taskmaster. And despite being past 50 with a heart operation behind him he thinks nothing of punishing himself with the squad, whether training or in the boxing ring.

"We need to train through the fat and through the pain," he said. "People need to show me that. Hard work never does anyone any harm, it's about working when you're tired and under pressure. It's good for the brain, too, as well as for the body.

"If you put 60% in that's all you'll get, there's no satisfaction in that. Players have to be committed. If they don't put the work in they won't be there because you can't trust them.

"I would have liked another month with them, but that's not going to happen which is a problem here. The WRU need to look at that."

Anderson says no-one should take any notice of the Blues' ineffective performance against a well below strength Leinster last week, and insists if the Dragons play well tonight they'll win.

"It's hard to go to Ireland and play a virtual second team, so you can't read too much into that," he said. "It's all about us putting pressure on. If we play well the result will take care of itself. If we play well and go through the process then we can look at the scoreboard.

"I've played in plenty of derbies and I appreciate the passion that goes into them. It's probably good to have a bit of extra buzz in the first game."