Black impact

The 28-year-old Londoner is playing superbly in a powerful Dragons front row and enjoying himself more than ever.

But he feels the Dragons' exploits in reaching fourth place in the Celtic League despite off-the-field problems have not been appreciated or their improved play properly recognised.

"We've been labelled a forward-orientated side, but with the work coach Mike Ruddock and his team have put in, we've moved away from that," said Black.

"Our backs, who took a lot of stick in the first couple of games, have gone from strength to strength and need to be given credit.

"You obviously have to take every game as it comes, but the Dragons are on course to achieve what we set out to achieve.

"We are getting better week by week and I honestly feel we do not get as much praise or respect as we should.

"It doesn't affect us. Whatever people say, we just go out and play rugby.

"The best way to answer such things is to win and I certainly think we are on course for a big start in the Heineken Cup (in a fortnight's time).

"We could go into that as joint Celtic League leaders and that would be a huge result for us and for Wales."

Black came to Wales after six seasons at Wasps and two at Sale Sharks at the invitation of then Ebbw Vale coach Ruddock whom he had impressed against Pontypridd in the 2001 European Shield final.

He and his wife fell in love with the Gower Coast and live in Swansea, Black travelling to Gwent each day with his Dragons front-row friends Chris Anthony and Steve Jones The former England Under-21s loose-head said: "Half-way through last season (with Vale struggling financially and playing-wise), you might have though the move to Wales was the wrong one to make, but, looking now, it was probably the right move and I'm glad it happened.

"Each regional club has its problems, but things have shown regions were the right way to go.

"I did have my doubts when they decided to do it in World Cup year - I thought they might have waited another year - but I think the way it has gone, most of the games have been very attractive.

"You have your dog-fights, but which league in the world doesn't have them. You're not going to have French flare rugby straight away, though it may come later," he added.

Black is full of praise for the Dragons' camaraderie and the way the players have coped with administration.

"One thing with the Dragons is that there is a lot of enjoyment. There's a hell of a lot of pressure on the new provincial sides and you need to have enjoyment," he said.

"With the Dragons, there's even a laugh on the field when there's a quiet moment and that factor keeps everyone going.

"So I'm enjoying my rugby, concentrating on the scrums and trying to carry the ball up because if the number one can do that, it makes it easier for the rest of the team to do it.

"And I want to win. When you reach 28, you've reached the top of the hill and you think it's downwards now, so for me that means I want to play, I want to win and I want to give as much as I can.

"We knew it was going to be a hard start to the season but we knew scrummaging and line-outs were going to be the easiest things to get right because it's basically man against man, strength against strength and we do pride ourselves on our scrummaging."

And of the current problems, he said: "The boys have been true professionals. I don't think anybody can fault them.

"I think they deserve a pat on the back and I suppose that's what I'm trying to put across when I say I don't think we get the respect and praise we deserve.

"It's a pleasure to go into work. We get paid by someone, but, at the end of the day, we play for each other on the pitch. That's what it's all about."