Dragonheart

And Forster says the current squad of players is the best in his time at Rodney Parade.

"I wear my heart on my sleeve and I lead from the front," said Forster. "I expect a kick up the backside if I'm not doing my job or pulling my weight and I'll be doing the same thing with the players.

"This is another challenge which is nothing new and I will relish the opportunity. We've assembled a great squad and with the talent we've brought in it all bodes well.

"We've got hard working, class players here which is what it's about. But you've got to earn it by bringing in fitness, attitude and discipline which is what Chris Anderson is installing in us. We'll be keeping in people's faces.

"In rugby league Chris is massive, he's won everything, he's coached the best and it would be nice if he can bring half that success to us.

"In pre-season he's been pushing the guys to the edge to see who breaks first. Give him a chance to see what he can bring.

"We need strength in depth, you're not going to play in every game when it is so intense and physical, but it's the best squad since I've been here, we need healthy competition.

"There is no place here for superstars, we're all hard working and you fit in and play or you'll be out."

Forster is delighted Percy Montgomery has committed himself to the Dragons until 2007. "It's fantastic for the region and for Welsh rugby, Monty is down to earth and he's the ultimate professional, you should see him in training," he said.

Forster and his fellow Wales tourists with the Dragons resume training next Monday. "We've all got to pull our weight and catch up, Chris has put them all through the mill and we've all got to be more switched on," he said. Forster also has one eye on regaining his place in the Welsh team after being discarded when he won his first cap in Argentina.

"I want to be still in there and I do feel a bit hard done by," he admitted. "I don't want to be stuck with one cap and I'll be doing my damnedest to get back in."

l Rod Snow, who has been given a testimonial after nearly 10 years at Rodney Parade, has arranged a corporate golf day on August 25 at the Parc Golf Club and a dinner at the Celtic Manor on February 19, with a game between a Dragons/Newport XV and his own team set for the end of the season.

"It's a big year for me and the club have afforded me the opportunity to do something special. I am hugely honoured, I'm proud of what I've accomplished at Newport, but this will not be my swansong as I hope to stick around for a few more years yet," he said.

"I've always enjoyed my rugby here though it wasn't as professional when I arrived as it is now. We've won some silverware recently and in the last few years we've been firing in everything.

"This year will be no different and I'll be very disappointed if we don't win something, as well as making the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup."