SOUTH African Pat Howard reckons Newport Gwent Dragons have it in them to turn the agonising narrow defeats of last term into wins this season.

However, Howard insists the Men of Gwent must show they are not going to be a soft touch from the very first whistle of the new campaign.

Former Western Province, Stormers and Northampton ace Howard, who signed a two-year deal with the Dragons in April, is looking forward to his second spell in the Guinness Pro12.

The 24-year-old had a taste of the league while on loan with Munster two seasons ago, making his debut in a 38-12 victory at Rodney Parade, and has high hopes for his new side.

“I did follow the Dragons last season and saw they lost something like seven games where they were within a try of the other team,” he said.

“They reached the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup and scored more tries than Montpellier but still lost the game.

“It shows they do have the talent, the skill and all the things needed, it’s just a kick here or a try there which will push them over the edge, and I think they can do that this year.

“We’ve got to set a standard in the first few games and you’ve got to show other teams that you are not going to be a pushover.

“We want to cause a few upsets this year and if we can string four or five of those together then we will be around the top four. All of a sudden people will start taking notice and take us seriously.”

Having fellow countrymen Carl Meyer, Sarel Pretorius, Rynard Landman and Brok Harris in the Dragons’ squad has helped Howard settle in South Wales no end.

And while he is still getting used to the Welsh accent and weather, Howard, who can play at centre or on the wing, is enjoying how he and his teammates are being out through their paces.

“We’ve focused on fitness and basic skills,” he added. “Jason Strange has come in and has been working purely on skills with us.

“The guys have said their handling is so much better than they were before and they have the ability to move the ball a lot better.

“It’s one of those core things. It’s like when you have an overlap, it’s all very well working an overlap but you’ve got to make use of it.

“It’s about using the skills you have to make the most of the chances you create.

“They lost by such small margins last season so that extra fitness work we’ve done means we can carry on going in the last 20 minutes when other teams are tired.”

Howard is expected to feature for the Dragons in their final pre-season game this Friday when Exeter Chiefs are the visitors to Rodney Parade (7.30pm).

The encounter comes a week before the Welsh region take to the field in Belfast for their opening Guinness Pro12 match against Ulster.