NEW boy Cory believes England has been the making of him as he prepared to pull on a Newport Gwent Dragons jersey for the first time.

The lock will feature in Saturday's LV= Cup encounter with London Wasps at Rodney Parade (kick-off midday) after finalising his move from Moseley.

The 21-year-old from Pontypridd spent a short but invaluable spell in the West Midlands after being released by Cardiff Blues last summer.

"It was only a few months but I had a good time at Moseley," said Hill, who has penned a three-year contract with the Dragons. "I got regular rugby and I think I have grown up a lot as a person and as a player.

"Being released by the Blues was hard to take after coming through the academy but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise – it was a reality check for me.

"The English Championship is a very good league and rather than stay in the Welsh Premiership I went up against some very competitive sides.

"It was a good experience for me and it took me out of my comfort zone."

Hill will now try and emulate his Wales Under-20s second row partner Matthew Screech, who has featured nine times for the Dragons this season.

He was also released by the Blues but earned a regional deal at Rodney Parade after he caught the eye in pre-season.

"Screech has done really well and it's nice to see young players being given a chance here," said Hill.

"I've got to do the same, get my head down in training and take the opportunities when they come.

"I will be nice to finally get the chance to pull the Dragons jersey on against Wasps, it's been a long time coming and hopefully I can impress."

Head coach Darren Edwards worked alongside Hill when he was in charge of Wales Under-20s and says the new arrival will go straight into a tussle for starts with Screech, captain Andrew Coombs and former Wales pair Rob Sidoli and Adam Jones.

"We've brought another quality young Welsh player in," he said, "Cory is ready to go and is desperate to play for that shirt.

"His potential was obvious coming through the age grades and he had a good grounding at Pontypridd, playing tough rugby at an uncompromising place.

"Cory matured in the few months he played in the English Championship; he challenged himself and comes back to Wales after some good experiences."