FORMER Wales prop Chris Horsman has joined the Newport Gwent Dragons Premiership Select XV coaching team for their British and Irish Cup campaign, writes Chris Kirwan.

The 14-times capped ex-tighthead has linked up with Dragons academy boss James Chapron, skills coach Richie Rees and Cross Keys head coach and Welsh Rugby Union development officer Greg Woods for the competition.

Horsman has been working with the Dragons already this season as part of his role as a WRU skills coach and will pass on his experience of the dark arts to the region's youngsters for what promises to be an uncompromising group against English full-timers Bedford, Ealing Trailfinders and Yorkshire Carnegie.

"When Chris is out of an international campaign he comes out to the regions and works specifically with the front row forwards," said Chapron.

"His role is scrum coach but also keen to help out where there are gaps and he comes and works on basic skills with forwards, the contact area, carrying, etcetera.

"It made sense to get him involved in the (British and Irish Cup) programme so that he can complement Greg's work with the forwards and get to know the boys who could potentially play Wales Under-20s for him in the next few months.

"He has added his scrum knowledge, which will be really good for the likes of Leon Brown, Chris Coleman and Keagan Bale.

"Chris was a tough player and is uncompromising in the way that he coaches, that's a great thing to have with our players and there's a nice blend with me, Richie and Greg."

The Dragons start at Bedford, host Ealing at Cross Keys a week on Saturday then play a December double-header with Yorkshire Carnegie, the artists formerly known as Leeds.

The plan was to field a side of fringe Dragons players, academy talent and the pick of the Premiership but they have been hit by injuries ahead of the curtain-raiser with the seniors' problems having a knock-on effect combined with blows for some key club personnel.

Dragons lock Ashley Sweet, who earned a professional contract thanks to his exploits with champions Ebbw Vale, would have been in line to play a leadership role but faces an operation after tearing a pectoral muscle playing for the Steelmen last weekend.

Hookers Elliot Dee and Rhys Thomas are currently sidelined so both Rhys Buckley and Darran Harris will feature in the Challenge Cup clash against Brive. Back row resources are also stretched with Nic Cudd, James Benjamin and Ollie Griffiths injured.

Newport wing Elliot Frewen and centre Tom Pascoe are carrying bumps, as is Cross Keys flanker Scott Matthews. Black and Ambers prop John Lavender and lock Adam Brown, Ebbw back row Rhys Clarke, Keys wing Matthew Powell and Bedwas hooker Alun Rees, lock Robson Blake, centre James S Dixon and back row Andrew Waite are in the mix for selection.