GARETH Davies has expressed his delight at being able to get his rugby hit at Rodney Parade after being appointed as chief executive of Newport Gwent Dragons and Newport RFC.

The former Wales and Lions fly-half succeeds Chris Brown and has already been shadowing his predecessor ahead of his official September start date.

Davies has previously been chief executive of Cardiff Athletic Club and Cardiff RFC, head of sport at BBC Wales, chairman of the Sports Council for Wales and most recently dean of the Carnegie faculty at Leeds Metropolitan University.

His appointment is a real coup for the region and the 57-year-old, who won 21 caps, is delighted to be back involved in the sport.

"Rugby is almost like a drug and I never thought that I'd get the chance to get back in," he said.

"Thankfully this opportunity came up and it's exciting because there is real potential here.

"Things seem to have been running in a sensible manner and that will continue because unless you have got a Roman Abramovich figure throwing in millions then you have to be careful.

"That doesn't mean that you can't be ambitious and I feel that can create a buzz and be an attractive business if you show that you are a stable, sensible and pragmatic.

"The last couple of months seem to have been positive, I have been impressed by the ambition show and I will look to build on that work.

"My only real attachment to rugby of late has been work with S4C and every time I came to Rodney Parade it felt like a good old-fashioned rugby ground, so I look forward to working with everyone at the Dragons and Newport."

Brown was brought in as a trouble-shooter by former Newport owner Tony Brown (no relation) in order to sort out the finances at Rodney Parade.

He has done that successfully and the region went from running at a loss to breaking even last year, largely through using the new facilities in the Bisley Stand.

Will Godfrey, chairman of Rodney Parade Ltd, said: "We have created strong, sustainable foundations on which we can now build. With Gareth's expertise and experience within both business and rugby we look forward to developing the business both on and off the field.

"With Gareth's appointment we have the infrastructure and team in place to secure a successful future for the business."