After making the switch from fullback to outside half last season, Jason Tovey is aiming to make the number 10 jersey his own in the 2010-11 season.
“I started training with the boys this week and hope to take part in full training next week,” said the Newport Gwent Dragons’ Academy product.
“To be honest it gets a bit boring during the off season. During the season you can’t wait for it to come around but when it does you can’t wait to get back.
“There are a few new boys in the squad and there’s a lot of competition at 10. Obviously Matthew Jones and Lewis Robling have been brought in and there’s also Steffan Jones who has come through the ranks.
“That will be good for the team but also for me. Competition is always good and when you have someone fighting with you for your position it brings out the best in you.”
Tovey’s fine form for the Men of Gwent in the number 10 shirt led to a number of plaudits, including 1970’s legend Phil Bennett, but despite numerous calls the 21-year-old is yet to play for Wales.
“I was disappointed not to get selected for the summer tour, but I only moved to outside half after Christmas. I see my future at 10 and with the Dragons I now do all my training at outside half. Realistically I think after the World Cup I will start pushing for a place in the Welsh squad. Playing for Wales is a goal but right now I want to focus on the Dragons.
“I enjoyed it last season but I do like to keep my head down and do my talking on the pitch. It is nice to be highly thought of by a British Lion and Welsh legend like Phil Bennett and hopefully I can carry on playing well.
“I just can’t wait for the season to get underway. What’s important for us is that we improve in the Heineken Cup and make sure we win all our home games. If we can get out of our group in Europe then it is anyone’s game. In the Magners I think we just need to pick up a few more wins on the road in order to push for the play-offs.
“Injuries hit us hard towards the end of last season and it hurt us. We lost some massive players like Joe Bearman and Dan Lydiate, who are really important to us.
“We struggled to deal with the injuries last year and had to bring in boys from the Premiership who hadn’t really trained with us. We have a much bigger squad this year, with these boys training fulltime so that will make a big difference throughout the coming season.”
