BORIS Stankovich loves his scrums and the loosehead prop hopes his Newport Gwent Dragons teammates will soon join him in thriving in the dark arts of the set piece.

When Stankovich signed for Leicester in 2007 he arrived at a club where a dominant scrum had been taken for granted since the famous ABC club of Graham Rowntree, Richard Cockerill and Darren Garforth.

Now the 34-year-old loosehead rocks up at a region where every set piece has been watched through fingers.

No-nonsense Stankovich certainly looks the part as the Dragons attempt to provide their talented backs with a platform, and has the track record to provide some hope.

"I really enjoy scrummaging and it was bred into me at Leicester and in France (at Albi), where they take it very, very seriously," he said. "I love to scrum, so I am hoping that the backs knock the ball on a bit more!

"There was a huge expectation on front rowers at Leicester – they love them there and I am hoping that it can be like that here as well in the future."

Stankovich has a two-year deal and has been signed to wear the number 1 jersey but will also be a key figure at the region's new training base in Ystrad Mynach, giving pointers to the next generation.

"I've been in a lot of scrums against a lot of different props and that experience has its advantages," he said.

"It counts for a lot in the scrum and it's difficult for young front rowers who are finding their way because it takes a long time to build up that knowledge.

"Lyn (Jones, director of rugby) wants me to help out with the young props and it's important for the Dragons and Welsh rugby that they develop.

"I did a little bit of mentoring at Leicester, helping players like Dan Cole before anyone knew who he was.

"It's a good opportunity for me to pass some knowledge on, but first and foremost I am here to play and I will be battling with everybody else for that starting position."

It will be a second spell in Wales for Stankovich, who played two games for Cardiff in 1999 when he used to double up as a hooker and Jonathan Humphreys was on World Cup duty.

"I always said to (former Wales and Leicester hooker) Mefin Davies that one day I'd like to come back to Wales after my stint at Cardiff," said Stankovich.

"Luckily enough Lyn was interested and I am looking forward to another chapter of my career. I've fitted in with the boys well and there is a positive vibe.

"It's refreshing to be doing something new; there's a bit more variety here whereas at Leicester we knew one way of doing things."