NEW Zealander Sam Beard hopes to help Newport Gwent Dragons find a southern hemisphere cutting edge this season after heading for the land of his grandfather.

The 26-year-old centre has arrived at Rodney Parade on a two-season deal after spending the past three campaigns with Guinness Pro12 rivals Edinburgh.

Beard signed for the Scots in 2013 from Bay of Plenty and previously played for the Crusader Knights, the Christchurch Super Rugby franchise's development squad.

He does, however, have Welsh ancestry courtesy of his grandfather, who lived in Monmouth before the Beards moved Down Under via England.

His arrival ensures the Dragons have another midfield option as they attempt to play a more expansive game after a disastrous league campaign in 2015/16 in which they propped up the scoring charts with just 33 tries in 22 games.

Head coach Kingsley Jones said this summer that he wants his side to find a finishing touch by taking a leaf out of the southern hemisphere's book by doing the basics well, and Beard appears to tick those boxes.

The latest recruit will provide a different option at 12 or 13 – "I prefer ball in hand, I'm not as big as most centres going around in the northern hemisphere" – and is excited about the Dragons' planned new approach.

"We have spoken a lot about playing at a high tempo and moving the ball around because we have players who are mobile," he said.

"We need to make the most of that and move big teams around. There has been a lot of conditioning in pre-season."

"Growing up back home in New Zealand we were used to throwing the ball around and playing at a high tempo," he continued.

"The boys seem to be doing it pretty well in pre-season and we looked pretty sharp against Exeter with good movement of the ball."

After a frustrating August in which he missed the friendlies against Cardiff Blues and Ealing Trailfinders with a hip niggle, Beard made his Dragons bow in last week's 32-16 loss to the Chiefs and impressed with some classy touches alongside Jack Dixon.

The centre faces stiff competition for midfield spots with last season's ever-present Adam Warren, Wales international Tyler Morgan and Adam Hughes also in the mix, while Ross Wardle will be looking to break in on his return from knee surgery.

"I have a frustrating couple of weeks so it was good to get a run out against Exeter," said Beard.

"Whenever you go somewhere new you want to get stuck in as soon as possible so that you feel part of the team and everything that's going on.

"The competition will bring the best out of everyone and that's a good problem for Kingsley to have."

Beard looks set to partner Dixon in Friday's Guinness Pro12 opener against Ulster with Warren likely to continue on the wing after filling in out wide against the Chiefs.

The Dragons have won just once in Belfast, in 2008, and endured an away whitewash last season but the trip to Ireland holds no fear for the new boy.

Beard said: "We can go there and have a good crack at them. Everyone is fresh and we looked pretty good against Exeter.

"If you are worried about going to places then you are going to be in for a pretty long season.

You've got to travel every other week and shouldn't be worried about where you are playing."

The Dragons name their team at midday (THURS).