DECLAN Kidney aims to bring the Munster factor to Newport Gwent Dragons when he officially takes over as coach this summer.

Kidney admits it's unusual an Irishman coming to coach in Wales after guiding the mighty Munster team to two Heineken Cup finals and one semi-final.

But he can already see similarities between the top Irish province and the Dragons team he is taking over after watching their last two matches and seeing them on video.

"I have been impressed by their cameraderie, they are working hard and they provide a great cornerstone to work from," said the quietly spoken Kidney.

"The regions (Munster and the Dragons) are not dissimilar and I hope to use my experience in Ireland to strengthen the side representing the area.

"There are a number of teams who really play for one another. Munster are one and the Dragons appear to be another.

"Being a small cog in the wheel helps things go forward and it's great fun when you're doing it.

"It's not the norm someone coming from Ireland to Wales, so this is a little bit of a first. It's a huge honour for me to be asked to coach a Welsh regional side.

"I got a phone call from Tony Brown to ask if I'd be interested. I grew up in Ireland when Welsh rugby was at the pinnacle, I was reared on that so Welsh rugby is very attractive to me.

"The Dragons are turning the Celtic League into an exciting climax and the next two games are very important."

Kidney will not take over officially as Dragons coach until August 1 and plans to commute to and from his Cork home in Ireland, but stresses his full commitment to his new job.

"I'll be here every day I'm needed and more," he said. "My wife had just committed herself to job sharing so could not come with me.

"My contract with the IRFU lasts until July 31 and the plan is to go to South Africa with Ireland this summer. "But Mike Ruddock and I have had a few conversations which has been very helpful."