NEWPORT Gwent Dragons will play with real style next season, promises new coach Paul Turner.

He has taken charge fully this week as the Dragons players have returned to training following their short break, though British Lions Michael Owen and Gareth Cooper, their Welsh tourists and Wales under-21 players are missing.

Turner himself always played with a touch of class and he pledges the Dragons will turn on the style for their fans.

"There's a lot of talented players in the squad and I'll try to get the best out of them," was Turner's verdict a few days into his new job as head coach after 13 years with four premier English clubs as backs coach - Sale, Saracens, Gloucester and Harlequins.

"I am aiming for the team to play with a distinct Dragons style which hopefully will be unique," he stressed.

"I also want the side to develop an edge and a pride in our game which will relate to our fans.

Turner is already keenly anticipating next season's Heineken Cup matches, especially the tie against former club Sale and jousting with former coaching colleague Philippe Saint Andre, now their director of rugby. The Dragons also face Castres and Munster.

"It's not the Sale I remember," he said. "I created a certain style there, but it's been taken on in leaps and bounds with the players they've signed, especially internationals," he said.

"I enjoy watching them, we should have beaten them when I was with Harlequins last season. But they have just signed some very good players from France again.

"I have worked with Philippe, he goes to clubs with lots of money and he's shrewd in the transfer market, success follows him around.

"I've got lots of respect for French sides, especially when you play them over there. Castres have got one or two New Zealand internationals, Harlequins played them last season and should have beaten them at home but we got well beaten with a young side over there.

"Like most French sides they have strengthened again from last season.

"Munster are still a very good side, a famous European Cup team. There are suggestions that a lot of their players are coming to the end of their careers but I won't take any notice of that.

"We won't go to Thomond Park with any trepidation. The Dragons have beaten them in the past."

Munster are anticipating another keen battle with the Dragons. "Rodney Parade is a particularly difficult venue, they have a passionate following who generate a great atmosphere on match day," said a spokesman for the provincial team.

"They have an impressive record in Europe that includes wins against Perpignan and Stade Francais at Rodney Parade. And they will have no fears travelling to Thomond Park because they've been there before." "The more I get to know the players I know what certain ones can or can't do. But we are in the entertainment business and the way to get people coming through the gates is to create a style and play attractive football."