NEW recruit Huw Taylor intends to bring "carnage" in defence to force his way into the Dragons' fiercely-contested back row.

The 22-year-old has moved to Rodney Parade after coming through the ranks at Worcester and making 27 appearances for the Warriors.

Taylor can play lock, and helped England win the 2016 World Rugby U20 championship from the boilerhouse, yet it's blindside that is his position of choice.

"With England Under-20s I kind of found myself in the second row because we had a pretty good back row and I could call the lineout," he said.

"That's something I am trying to bring here as well; being a flanker that can be a good option in the lineout with a bit more height.

"As a blindside I feel I have gradually got better and better in defence to cause as much carnage as I can, while I've always liked to carry the ball as well."

Wanting to be a blindside means that the new boy will have seriously stiff competition with Wales internationals Ross Moriarty, Ollie Griffiths and Aaron Wainwright, Dragons stalwart Lewis Evans, Harrison Keddie, James Thomas, Max Williams and James Sheekey all capable of filling the 6 jersey.

But Taylor, 6ft 5ins and 17st, is up for the fight – and has shown that this summer.

He said: "There is good competition and we all push each other along – me and Keddie were doing some wrestling a couple of weeks ago and it all got a bit heated! He is very aggressive and a strong boy!

"Pre-season is a chance to put down a marker in three games [against Ealing, Northampton and Gloucester] where all boys will get a chance to show what they can do.

"I want to come here and stamp my authority on things, putting my name on that 6 shirt and playing every week. That's all I am thinking about at the moment."

Taylor wore the red rose on his chest at age-grade level but the Shropshire-raised forward could swap them for three feathers.

"I went through the ranks at Worcester but I'm half-Welsh – my mum's side of the family is from near Aberystwyth," said Taylor, whose older brother Ed plays for Bedford Blues and represented Welsh Students.

"I played England Under-20s but Bernard (Jackman, head coach) approached me and sold me the dream to come over and try and push the Welsh route.

"I was brought up in England but my mum's side of the family are actually more to do with rugby, so I've always supported Wales and wanted to play for them.

"I was happy at Worcester, they were really good to me and I had no complaints, but it felt right to come now with the Dragons going in the direction they are. I just felt like there are more opportunities here for me."

And the move has meant a reunion with forwards coach Ceri Jones, who was his academy boss at Sixways for two years before the ex-Wales prop moved to the Dragons.

"That close relationship smoothed the ride over to here," said Taylor.

"Ceri wants to bring out my leadership and my talking, something that I was comfortable with at Worcester. I am trying to get to know the boys better to bring that side out."