ADAM Hughes has a point to prove on his Rodney Parade return – but to his own Exeter boss rather than Newport Gwent Dragons.

The centre/wing from Cwmbran is set to come back to his old stomping ground with the Chiefs in the LV= Cup on Sunday.

Hughes made 80 appearances for the Dragons but, with no fresh contract in the offing, moved to Bristol last February before his summer switch to Devon.

After falling down the pecking order it all happened in a flash and the 24-year-old is grateful that he will finally get a chance to express his gratitude to the supporters that backed him to the hilt.

"When the move came around last season it was after a game in Newcastle and I never got the chance to have one last game at Rodney Parade," he said.

"I am really excited to be coming back and it was a fixture that I was desperate to be involved in when it was announced at the start of the season.

"The fans were great to me and it will be good to be able to say thanks to them after the game and maybe even get the odd cheer.

"It will be fun, although a bit strange to go in the away changing room for the first time because the home one isn't exactly luxurious!

"It would be good to get the chance to go up against Ashley Smith after playing alongside him plenty of times."

Hughes will be fired up to impress for a Chiefs side that are chasing silverware on three fronts.

He has had to bid his time while the likes of Henry Slade, Sam Hill and Jack Nowell have strutted their stuff in the backs but the LV= Cup provides a chance to show coach Rob Baxter just what he can do.

"We are doing well in the league, Europe and LV= Cup and there will be a lot of boys playing on Sunday who have a lot to prove," he said.

"Our team hasn't changed a lot recently and there are plenty of us trying to force our way in.

"We started the season looking for a top-half finish and qualification for the Champions Cup but had such a good start that we now want the playoffs. We have got the squad for it and competition for places can drive us on."

The Dragons are also poised to ringing the changes with recent back row recruit from New Zealand Nick Crosswell and Ebbw Vale centre Carl Meyer in contention for debuts.