RYNARD Landman stayed positive when he was sent to Risca's Stores Field rather than Gloucester's Kingsholm in pre-season, pledging to show the attitude and desire with Newport that would earn a Dragons recall. That optimism paid off, now he wants to keep the jersey.

The South African featured in the friendly encounters with Ealing and Northampton ahead of his fifth season with the Rodney Parade region, but when it came to the squad for the final tune-up in the west country his name was not on the teamsheet.

Instead of playing against the Cherry and Whites and having the chance to earn a spot in the Guinness PRO14 opener, Landman was sent to play for Newport in their pre-season fixture with Swansea on a Thursday night in Risca.

"It was dark and a little bit different there," admitted the 32-year-old, who headed to Wales from the Cheetahs in 2014.

"When I met the guys and the coaches, they asked me what I wanted to do to get back into the Dragons side and asked what I wanted from them.

"I told them that I just wanted to play, to get minutes under my belt and get game ready if the chance came."

Landman remained in black and amber for the Principality Premiership games against Carmarthen Quins, Bedwas and Cardiff.

While he longed to be back at professional level, the lock wasn't just going through the motions and sulking. Landman was determined to do his bit for a famous club that has Springboks Gary Teichmann, Percy Montgomery, Franco Smith, Adrian Garvey and Tonderai Chavhanga among their alumni.

"When I went to the first game I did a bit of research and there was loads of South Africans! It was good and I will always be part of their history, whatever goes down," he said.

"It was really good to follow in those guys' footsteps and with the Premiership losing four teams it is a really big year for Newport. Whenever they need us [Dragons] guys who have been allocated we will be there.

"It was lovely. Just meeting new people and coaches, I really enjoyed it.

"I have played more than 250 first-class games so for me to go down and play for the club and have a bad attitude would not be on.

"I have come from a different country to make a difference over here. I have met new players and will gift whatever I can to them in terms of experience and attitude.

"I want people to learn from me because I learnt from the best growing up. I will always be positive."

That glass-half-full outlook earned a recall last weekend when Landman was chosen to be captain Cory Hill's second row partner in the 16-5 win against Zebre.

The scrap with Matthew Screech, Joe Davies and summer Samoan recruit Brandon Nansen promises to be a theme of the season.

"It was really good to be back. We had a 13-week pre-season and after that everyone just wants to play," said Landman, who took his tally of Dragons appearances to 112 on Saturday.

"But we knew that there was competition in every position, so everybody was just waiting for the chance to play.

"That's why it's a good thing that everybody is playing either for the A team or at the clubs, it keeps us match-fit for when we get the opportunity.

"It went well against Zebre, we got the 'W' that we wanted and we have the same number as wins as last season, so we can only go up from here.

"It was really hard to play in the rain. It was greasy and wet, so to grind out a win like that was pleasing.

"We let the Kings back into the game and it wasn't the best of starts away from home at Leinster, so to get the win builds confidence."

And while Landman will give it his all if he is a Black and Amber again, this weekend he wants to be in Glasgow rather than Llanelli.

"I want to keep my place now. I did what I did, we will see if it was good enough for the coaches," he said.

"It's for them to decide what happens now within the next few days but whatever happens I will keep being my positive self and keep working harder."