IT'S like coming home, says Paul Turner after being officially unveiled as the new Newport Gwent Dragons coach at Rodney Parade today, ending weeks of speculation.

Turner has signed a two-year contract, which could well be extended, to herald his return to his native Gwent where he excelled as a player with Newbridge and Newport and left to pursue a coaching career in England 13 years ago.

"It's coming home for me and I'll try to bring my sort of philosophy and vision to the party," said an upbeat Turner.

"I was quite impressed with the Dragons early in the season after watching them. They've got a number of talented players, two international half backs which is always a good sign and a well drilled pack.

"My aim is to try to develop the current squad, we'll tinker with it and try to make the right decisions.

"They probably wanted the season to end quicker than it did due to the wranglings which were probably out of the players' control, but I feel there is definitely something to work on.

"It's vital there are Gwent people in charge of the region. I've worked with Leigh Jones and know him as a very good coach bred in the valleys, I played with Dai Rees at Newbridge and started my career with Jim McCreedy, so it's a good mix.

"I feel it's vital to embrace the regional concept and after my initial meetings see my role as vital in changing the mindset around the Gwent valleys.

"I've also got great memories of Rodney Parade, and the support base has always been fanatical.

"I'm looking forward to renewing acquaintances with a lot of friends from the past." Former outside half Turner is expecting his first season in charge to be extremely testing, but is eagerly anticipating the challenge.

"I'm chuffed to be doing this job and that the board came to me. Tony Brown has approached me before, and they see me as the catalyst to take them into the new era of regional rugby," he said.

"Things are not perfect, but we've got Gwent men in charge to take the Dragons forward. "Next season will be a testing one. It'll be unlike the last two because Celtic League games are to be played on non-international weekends so teams will be a lot stronger.

"Europe is always daunting and everyone wants to be in it, though from my experience with Harlequins you can't go in underpowered because you can get exposed on the fields of France."

Turner feels he's returning to Gwent and Wales at the right time after coaching spells at Sale, Bedford, Saracens, Gloucester and Harlequins.

"I didn't feel the time was right when I was approached before, but it is now," he said. "I always watched the club sides and the Dragons from afar and I have liked what I saw.

"They stuttered a bit this season, but I'm confident there is a definite role for me there."

Turner made 293 appearances for Newbridge from 1979-90 and scored 2,293 points including a club record 405 points in season 1983-84.

He played 135 times for Newport from 1986-92, some seasons overlapping with Newbridge, including another record 472 points in all games in season 1986-87.

He was also player-coach with Sale and Bedford extending his playing career to close on 700 games and 5,000 points.