Amos: I need a fresh start but exciting times lie ahead for Dragons

The 24-year-old from Monmouthshire has signed off for the region after 115 appearances, the first of which was made at Wasps in 2011.

Amos, who has three years left of his medical studies at Cardiff University, turned down a contract extension in favour of a move to the capital with the Blues.

However, the Wales international does believe that he will watch the Dragons, who finished one from bottom of Conference B with just five PRO14 wins, making progress in the coming seasons.

"It will be strange not training with the boys but I am looking forward to a change," said Amos.

"Maybe being here so long, you get a bit comfortable and it will be nice to test myself again and have a fresh start.

"It wasn't a decision that I took lightly. I was at the Dragons for a fair while and it was tough, because results didn't always go our way, but I have enjoyed it.

"Leaving is no reflection on the Dragons and where they are, because things do sound exciting for next year with David (Buttress, chairman) laying out his plans.

"I felt that I needed a change if I am to push for starting spot with Wales but I genuinely want the best for the boys here.

"I am not sure the rivalry between the sides is as strong as the Cardiff-Newport days of old and I will always want the Dragons to do well."

Amos' last hurrah started badly with a second career yellow card after a deliberate knock-on against the Scarlets at Judgement Day.

However, it ended in glory with the wing playing a leading role with a superb assist for centre Jack Dixon – a fellow debutant in Wycombe in 2011 – in the dramatic 34-32 win.

"It was brilliant," said Amos. "We could play that game 100 times and only five or six of them, so it was a great way to go out.

"It was a lovely way to finish and it will be nice if that can carry on, success does breed success and hopefully finishing the season like that will put a positive spin on the off-season for the boys."

Amos' summer is a busy one after he was named in Warren Gatland's 42-man training squad for the World Cup last week along with fellow back-three options Leigh Halfpenny, George North, Liam Williams, Josh Adams, Jonah Holmes, Owen Lane and Steff Evans.

After scoring his first Test try against Uruguay in 2015 before suffering a tournament-ending elbow injury in the thrilling win against England at Twickenham, the ex-Dragon is determined to make the cut for Japan.

"The build-up in 2015 was extremely tough both physically and mentally," said Amos, who won the last of his 19 caps as a replacement in the Six Nations win against Italy.

"This is something that I am looking forward to, hopefully I can play a game or two over the summer and it's all to play for.

"It's hard to say what will happen with selection – you try and read Gats but he always does something different!

"There are a lot of back-three players and everyone is playing well, so I just have to take my chance if it comes.

"I am hopeful and always back myself but everyone needs that opportunity and a bit of luck as well. I'd love to go to another World Cup – all 42 of us will be desperate to make sure we are on that plane."