Lee leadership crucial to Dragons

Lee scored a try on his All Blacks debut against England in 2002

Dragons coach Paul Turner says the experience of Danny Lee, 33, will be vital as the ex-All Black scrum-half prepares for his debut at Leinster.

"Lee was capped in 2002 and he's at the latter stage of his career, but he has leadership qualities, he's quick around the base and he's a battler," he said.

"He's an experienced player and you don't see a poor All Black.

"He will help guys like Wayne Evans and Alex Walker, as [forwards] Tom Willis and Hoani MacDonald have helped."

Lee, who signed in the summer on a two-year deal, has played Super 14 rugby for Wellington Hurricanes, Chiefs and Auckland Blues.

He has played for New Zealand at every level, scoring a try in his debut for the all Blacks in 2002 against England.

606: DEBATE

Was Lee a good signing for the Dragons?

"I've been over few months now and I'm coming to grips with what goes on at the Dragons," Lee told BBC Sport Wales.

"I'm really looking forward to getting a run after a slight injury problem.

"It's going to be exciting, I'm in a new environment and that brings the best out of you, I feel a lot fresher for it. I don't feel my age at all.

"I'd played quite a bit of rugby in New Zealand, I thought that now it was time to see a bit of the world and apply my trade somewhere else.

"There are about five or six New Zealand boys at the Dragons that I've played with in the past and there are Kiwis all around Welsh rugby - it's good to have a few common faces.

"The Heineken Cup definitely matches up to the Super 14. We see a lot of it back home.

"Some teams are perhaps a bit better [than the Super 14]. It's definitely a tough competition to be involved in and I'm really looking forward to it.

"[I think that the Dragons are] going to do well [this season], we've put the base work in.

"We've got some fine coaches, hopefully we can push way up the ladder."

*Also available in the Welsh language:Dragons full-back Martyn Thomas talks about playing against Leinster for the first time