THE full Monty is set for Newport Gwent Dragons in the new season. The Dragons got Percy Montgomery pretty much head on last season, but when he returns to Rodney Parade late next month it will be even more fully frontal.

For Monty has been starring for South Africa during the summer, carrying on where he left off with the Dragons.

When the South African Rugby Board relaxed their stance of preventing players who had gone abroad from playing for their country again it was the cue for Monty to take up the international reins once again.

The South Africans allowed two players who had left the country to return, in this case Montgomery and Jaco van der Westhuyzen.

Monty was initially reluctant because he was two-thirds of the way through his contract at Rodney Parade and looking to extend it without the pressures of international rugby all over again on top of that.

But the lure of playing for his country again was too great to resist so he donned the famous green and gold jersey again.

He returned to the fold against Ireland after a three-year absence from the international scene.

Then came the Wales Test and the Pacific Islands, Monty rarely missing the target and with a points haul of 52 from the three matches, breaking Naas Botha's Springbok record of 365 last Saturday.

Those who had watched him play with rare focus and commitment for the Dragons last season were not surprised one bit.

He actually took his experience with the Dragons into international rugby again and in his brief return he has even taken the hard-nosed South Africans by surprise, particularly with the accuracy of his place kicking.

He refined his style with the Dragons, basically taking just one step, concentrating hard and sending the ball up and over the bar with considerable regularity. Simple but effective, though he was always far more erratic as a kicker during his 50-cap career with the Springboks.

Now Monty is starting all over again, this time more accurate and more fully tuned. He's got another four internationals to go this summer, two each against New Zealand and Australia in the Tri Nations tournament, starting with the All Blacks next Saturday.

That should make him even more battle hardened for the Dragons, though his heavy summer schedule after his efforts for the Dragons will result in him having the first month of the new season off.

But he should be back bursting to go in good time for the Heineken Cup in October, even more of a threat than he was last season.

The only question will be where to play him.

He has returned to his established position of full back with the Springboks, though previous Dragons coach Mike Ruddock played him at outside centre with great success.

The Dragons will have that opening month to decide.

As well as Sione Tuipulotu, they now have Wales international Kevin Morgan at full back while Hal Luscombe is itching to get a chance in his favourite position of outside centre.

A mouth-watering start to the season it promises to be for the Dragons once they get going after having the first week off with Cardiff Blues away and Llanelli Scarlets at home representing a double-pronged threat.

They did the double over the Blues last season, but with the arrival of players like Gethin Jenkins and Robert Sidoli their front five have been strengthened while the Scarlets are always tough and will be again.

There's hardly going to be an easy game this season, apart from perhaps Scottish team Borders so it's vital to get a good start.

The Dragons will not be underestimated this time after their startling success last season when they all but lifted the Celtic League trophy.

All eyes will be on new coach Chris Anderson and how quickly he beds in after a lifetime in rugby league.

The same goes for the the backs who have joined up from the Celtic Warriors.

It looks like an exciting mix, and a decent start will be all important.