CARDIFF legend DAN Baugh is relishing the chance to help Dean Ryan build on a promising first season at the Dragons.

The Canada international is set to join the Rodney Parade region's backroom team from Wasps, where has been fitness coach since 2014, on July 1.

Baugh will work alongside current head of strength and conditioning Ryan Harris as the Dragons attempt to pick up where they left off before the coronavirus pandemic.

Ryan's first season at the helm was an encouraging one and he has reshaped his coaching team to try and build on it.

Defence coach Simon Cross and assistant coach Luke Narraway are now on full-time contracts, Mefin Davies has replaced Ceri Jones as forwards coach and Baugh is joining to help tune-up the region's players.

South Wales Argus:

"I am really looking forward to working with Dean and working with the Dragons," he said on the Cardiff Blues Podcast.

"People can say what they want about the Dragons, but if you get rid of what you think you know about them and look at what they are doing now and where they are going, the potential that is there at the Dragons, I am really excited.

"Dean has done an amazing job in the short time that he has been there. I know Dean through the Premiership and the teams that he has coached and I am really excited about working with him and that group of players, because it is an exciting group with a couple of new signings that are coming in.

"It's a really good move for me, it's exciting and I am looking forward to getting back to Wales. I can't wait, and Welsh rugby has changed since I've been away.

"There's a different league – teams travel to South Africa now – and I am going to have to get my head around that, everything about it is a different challenge."

Baugh won 27 caps and was an Arms Park favourite thanks to his no-nonsense approach.

The back row forward joined the region's coaching team after being forced to retire because of a knee injury.

He became Wales' conditioning coach - working at the 2011 World Cup and helping Warren Gatland's men win a Grand Slam in 2012 - before following Dai Young to Wasps in 2014.