Hibbard joins Ross Moriarty in making the journey from Gloucester to join the Men of Gwent for the 2018/19 season, with the former Osprey also linking up with old front row partners Aaron Jarvis and Ryan Bevington at Rodney Parade next term.
On his return to Rodney Parade we asked him how much he was looking forward to his return to Wales.
What’s it like to be coming back to play in Wales for the Dragons?
"It’s fantastic to be back in Wales. I’ve only been back a week or so, so I’m settling in but it’s good to be back in my own house," said Hibbard.
"I loved every moment of my four years with Gloucester, but randomly I chatted with Bernard and he explained what he was trying to build at the Dragons and where he wants to take them and the type of region he wants this to be, so he got me excited.
"Then he said the ultimate word ‘home’ and being a man the age I am now, it’s lovely to have the chance to finish back in Wales."
What do you think you can bring to the Dragons?
"The older you get, the more experienced you get and you can bring your learnings from along the way so there’s stuff you can bring to the squad so I hope to help with that, but I’m really keen to play.
"There’s some quality players here, so it just needs some momentum behind it.
"Elliot had a fantastic year last season, he was amazing and I think he cleared up in the awards night too. I’m here to be involved and try to push him and it’s healthy to have to have lots of good boys in the same position.
"You know if one of you has a bad game someone else is ready to step in, so it keeps you on your toes and striving for your best or you know someone else is knocking the door.
"I’d never retire from international rugby, if twenty hookers go down and I’m the last resort I’d never say no, but I’m purely concentrating on playing for the Dragons."
Dragons supporters have endured a tough season, what’s your message to them?
"I’ve been through a transition phase when I first moved to England so I’m used to that.
"It’s a tougher thing looking from the outside in. Fans and supporters just want results and if you are not producing that they aren’t too happy. But it’s more than just that it’s about developing the boys coming through and it’s important to do that as depth of the squad is massively important especially when you get to the latter stages of a season.
"The development of the region is exciting. I remember playing here years ago and it’s such a tough place to play. When I was at the Ospreys they were our bogey team and we could hardly ever win here.
"Bringing so many players in it’s not going to change overnight its going to take time and be a process but there’s definitely a good end product coming for Dragons fans and we hope to see some highs along the way."
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