Byrne itching to get Newport Gwent Dragons career underway

Byrne returned to Wales after a three-year stint with Clermont Auvergne this summer and such was the immediate impression the full-back made, Dragons director of rugby Lyn Jones handed him the captaincy last month.

The journey under Byrne will start against English Championship side Bristol in a friendly on Sunday, with their GUINNESS PRO12 opener against Connacht looming in three weeks' time.

And though the former Osprey admits it will be a proud moment when he leads his new team out onto the pitch, he is champing at the bit for the season to commence.

"(The captaincy) came as a complete shock and I thought it was one of Lyn's jokes," Byrne told the South West Argus. "It's a lot of responsibility and Andrew Coombs did a great job last year.

"It's a lot of pressure but something I am looking forward to - it's one of the biggest honours I've had along with playing for Wales and the Lions.

"It's been nine weeks of pre-season whereas in France we'd have three and they're back into the Top14 this weekend.

"It's been the longest pre-season I've had in three years - now I want to just get the ball in my hands.

"There's only so much fitness you can do and we are all looking forward to getting out there against Bristol."

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