FLY-HALF Arwel Robson isn't content to just earn the right to be Sam Davies' deputy at the Dragons, he wants a starting spot.

The 22-year-old from Penallta is on the comeback trail after nine months out with a hamstring injury and has been getting back to sharpness in the Celtic Cup.

The development competition finishes with a derby against the Ospreys in Ystrad Mynach on Saturday and Robson wants to impress.

Josh Lewis ruptured knee ligaments in pre-season and faces a battle to play in 2019/20, leaving Robson and Jacob Botica as the back-up for Wales fly-half Davies.

But it isn't in Robson's nature to play second fiddle and his comeback is fuelled by the desire to wear 10 on his back, not 22.

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"It's that competitive streak," he said. "We are all here to make each other better, I can push Sam and he can push me.

"I'm not going to just roll over, that's not the type of person that I am and that is not a competitive environment.

"You have to be competitive at training and that goes into the game on the weekend. When you relax that is not a good place to be, you need to be competitive with those around you.

"We are all close, kick together in training, have banter and watch the footage together, bouncing ideas off each other.

"It's good to have four opinions and you may pick something up from Sam, Josh or Bots which you didn't see yourself."

Robson made his Dragons debut against Leicester at Welford Road in November, 2016 but his bid to establish himself has been hindered by injury.

The fly-half endured ankle issues and then his season was ended last December when he suffered a torn hamstring when preparing for European Challenge Cup action.

Robson went under the knife but the scar got infected, providing another set back.

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"It was quite a long one and the most frustrating nine months," he said. "Now I am just looking forward to playing – I know that we have had this chat a few times now but touch wood for this time.

"It's really important for me to just get game time. I have had two 40 minutes and a 70 minutes in the Celtic Cup and nothing is the same as a game situation.

"It's getting my lungs used to being out there for 80 minutes and getting used to seeing pictures. It's coming back and I am happy because I feel strong, fit, quick."

Robson is also shouldering extra responsibility in the Celtic Cup as a relatively experienced campaigner, even if injury has limited him to 19 senior appearances.

"It's quite unusual, I am one of the older players! In the past I was the youngster coming through but now I see myself as a senior player with a bit of experience," he said.

"The Celtic Cup is a really good level and some of the boys in the back line are really sharp. It's a good standard and it's great to get game time so that I can push on over the next few weeks and get competitive with the boys in the first team."