HAD things turned out differently Angus O'Brien could have been plotting a Champions League push with Southampton yet the young fly-half is more than happy to be preparing for the LV= Cup with Newport Gwent Dragons.

The 20-year-old from Caerleon was on the books of the Saints as a youngster, playing alongside the likes of Manchester United's £30 million left-back Luke Shaw, Arsenal's £16 million defender Calum Chambers and their highly-rated midfielder James Ward-Prowse.

He enjoyed his time alongside some stellar talent at Southampton's famed academy – "I was centre midfield and put them all into space! They're all doing all right and are too big time for me now!" – but eventually swapped the round ball for an oval one.

The Saints' loss has been the Dragons' gain and O'Brien, who starred for Wales Under-20s at last year's Junior World Championship, has already enjoyed some memorable tussles in his first season as a senior professional.

He went up against Wales fly-half Dan Biggar on his debut and has done the double over Stade Francais and Morne Steyn, outshining the big-money Springbok import in the Dragons' stunning win in Paris.

He said: "It's been a bit strange looking up at your opposite number and it's Morne Steyn! You get on with it but reflecting on it, in my first season playing against the likes of him is great.

"It's been a big step up and coming in and training with the calibre of player that we have at the Dragons has been great for my game, I am learning every day."

O'Brien burst onto the scene with a stunning performance at Stade Jean Bouin, kicking 18 points and managing the game like a veteran.

However, he was then sent back to Cross Keys to continue his development while Jason Tovey and Dorian Jones shared the duties at 10.

He made his return of the bench against Newcastle and Stade Francais as the Dragons secured a place in the quarter-finals of the European Rugby Challenge Cup and is relishing the opportunity to take on Exeter in the LV= Cup on Sunday.

"It's been a bit frustrating watching the boys from the sidelines but I've got a chance now to try and work my way back into the number 10 jersey and I will take every opportunity I can," he said.

"It was good to play in the British and Irish Cup with Cross Keys and the more rugby you play, the better you become.

"I've got to try and show what I can do in the LV= Cup and try and work my way back into the jersey, it will be a good opportunity."