HE MAY still be wearing L-plates when it comes to regional rugby but tighthead prop Dan Way is making an impression with his drive to succeed at Newport Gwent Dragons.

The 23-year-old will make his second Magners League start on the bounce when he lines up against Aironi on Sunday.

It has been quite a rise for a man who was just looking to establish himself with Newport in the Premiership this season.

In an age of sportsmen with endorsements, flash cars and bling, Way is very much your average bloke… but then a fancy Jeep wouldn’t be much use to the prop.

He cannot drive and is heavily reliant on his mum and dad, who have become fervent Newport supporters after the amount of lifts to training and matches that they have made.

And this isn’t any normal parental taxi service – they come from Swindon.

Way has been forced to use the rail service to make it to Dragons training sessions but the effort is worth it as he chases the dream of becoming a professional rugby player.

A deal is being worked on for next season (which would enable him to set up home this side of the border) but for now the tighthead is just loving being in the Dragons camp.

“It has all happened so quickly and I am learning so much,” said Way, who first headed over to Gwent to play for Pontypool after an invite from lock Sam Pailor, a fellow Swindonian.

“Every session is videoed and I am picking up so much in terms of technique. In the past I have just got by with strength, but you need more than that at this level.

“I love the live scrummaging sessions and getting feedback about how it has gone.

“Sven Cronk (Newport’s head coach and a former prop) has brought my game along massively and now I have another big challenge to prove that I have got what it takes with the Dragons.

“I have been lucky to get a chance but I want to prove myself and take it.”

Go well against an imposing Italian front row and Way will be a step closer towards earning that deal, not to mention protecting his parents from the rising price of petrol.