JASON Tovey is relishing his leadership role as the former Dragons fly-half prepares to steer an inexperienced Cross Keys side in the Principality Premiership, writes Chris Kirwan.

The 29-year-old played youth rugby for the Pandy Park side and, after playing for Bedwas and Newport as a Dragons academy prospect, made his senior debut in the 2012 British & Irish Cup loss to Munster A in Cork.

Tovey has returned to Wales after two years with Edinburgh and the left-footer will be a vital figure in the opening weekend home encounter with Bridgend in a Keys side that has experienced a summer of change.

There have been a raft of high-profile departures, meaning that head coach Morgan Stoddart will lean heavily on Tovey and captain Damien Welch, a member of the Cardiff Blues side that won the European Challenge Cup last season.

"When 'Stodds' approached me he said that he wanted me to bring my experience to a young side, and the same goes for 'Welchy'," said Tovey, the Dragons' record points scorer.

"No doubt teams will look at us as leaders and try and get into us, but we are relishing that and looking forward to getting stuck in.

"It's a new squad and unrecognisable from the Keys squad from the last four or so years, apart from Tom Lampard, Richard Cornock and Leon Andrews.

"But we have had a good pre-season and now we can't wait to get going against Bridgend.

"I think every club will want to avoid relegation first of all but I think top six is achievable for us if we keep everyone fit. We need to target our homes games and pick up a few away wins to do that.

Keys have been given an added boost by the presence of Dragons openside Nic Cudd and his regional teammate Jarryd Sage, a tough South African centre whose father is from Newbridge.