THE Dragons have made no secret of their desire to be more enterprising and expansive with ball in hand this season but lock Joe Davies is happy to put himself forward for the role of hitman.

The forward, who turned 22 on Monday, has enjoyed a bright start to the campaign and is thriving under the new regime of head coach Bernard Jackman.

Davies, from Caldicot, started four games on the spin last month and got the nod as captain Cory Hill’s second row partner ahead of experienced South African Rynard Landman for the Guinness PRO14 derby against the Ospreys.

The modern lock has to be comfortable in possession and Davies is working hard on adding a few flourishes with skills coaches Barry Maddocks and Shaun Connor.

However, the former Wales Under-20s international is still happy to be a piano shifter.

“Go around and hit things,” he replied when asked what Jackman and forwards coach Ceri Jones want from him.

“That’s what sort of player I feel I am. I hit rucks, carry the ball, win the lineout, hit rucks, make tackles and hit more rucks.

“That’s my basic role, to be honest. I’ve had a few games in a row and I feel that I have shown what I can do. I just have to keep doing that to stay in the team.

“Make bigger hits, hit people harder, scrum, lineout and maul. Be big and physical, that’s all I want to be.

“I love it, head down and I’m not bothered about fanciness, I’d rather hit something!

“I feel that is my role and it’s great when you have 15 boys on the pitch know their role and doing it.”

Davies has long been marked as one for the future by the Dragons and made his debut as a 17-year-old in the Anglo-Welsh Cup clash at the Scarlets in 2013, partnering Adam Jones in the second row and coming off for Rob Sidoli.

His progress has been stalled by niggles and more serious injuries – operations on both shoulders plus one on his left knee – but the lock has made as many appearances this season, seven, as he did in the previous three campaigns combined.

“I’m loving every minute and it’s been going well,” said Davies, who plays Premiership rugby at Bedwas. “Since I came back from my [summer] shoulder operation it has been great.

“The more games that I play the easier that it becomes, you get into the flow of it and understand the lineouts and what the boys around you are going to do. Then you just go out there and player your game and do your role.

“I am learning a lot off the likes of Rynard Landman and Cory Hill and even playing against people you learn what they do.

“Alun Wyn Jones flows and doesn’t even have to think about things. He knows that the ball is going to come to him in two phases and he is running off over there.

“Playing against guys like that who have been around for so long is really good. I feel that I’ve got a long way to go but still have a long time to get there.”

Davies is set to continue that learning process for the Dragons against the Scarlets tomorrow evening (kick-off 7.30pm).

Jackman names his team at midday with 18-year-old scrum half Dan Babos and 19-year-old loosehead Josh Reynolds set for debuts.