Jarvis took a break from his early pre-season preparations to explain the move and how he hopes his versatility and form with the Dragons can get him a spot on the plane to Japan.
How are you settling in?
“I have settled in really well, there is a good bunch of guys here and everyone is working hard.”
What was the attraction of the Dragons to you?
“It’s a really good challenge, because the Dragons are really trying to turn things around.
“We are going in the right direction, there is a lot of talent here and we can surprise a fair few people.
“We’ve got quite a young side, but I’ve been around a bit and hopefully my experience from the English Premiership, Top 14 and PRO14 will help.
“We want to be going up the league, we want to be getting the play-offs, we want to be qualifying for the Champions Cup – we have to be ambitious and back ourselves.”
The World Cup is just over a year away, you must still harbour ambitions there?
“If I want to play Wales again then I have to be playing in Wales, so that was a big draw.
“It’s a big year and I had to at least give myself a chance of making the World Cup, which I wouldn’t have had if I had stayed in France.
“I am here now and however small that chance is, there is a chance.
“It could help being able to cover both sides depending on how many props they take, but I am mainly a tighthead who can play loosehead.
“But there are some quality props here, so my first job is to get in the Dragons side. I have to get in the team here first and play really well, only then I can hope it’s enough.”
How much did you enjoy your time in Clermont?
“France was an amazing experience both in terms of lifestyle and rugby. It was something that I wanted to try in my career and I would have regretted not doing it.
“I would rather have gone to France and hated it than not try it, but we went there and loved it.
“That was helped by Clermont being such an amazing club, really well run with the most passionate fans I have ever seen.
“In the nicest possible way, they are bonkers and the atmosphere they create wherever they go is amazing and the club is just a massive part of Auvergne life.
“To win the Top 14 in my first year and play in the Champions Cup final, that was experience that was definitely worth the trip."
And playing front row in France?
“The scrum is a massive part of French rugby and everybody wants to scrummage, even the back row. It’s just a part of their mentality.
“Before it was just consistency with me; I could have a really good game one week and the next week wasn’t as good. France helped me with that consistency… and having massive second rows helps!”
You can get up close and see Aaron Jarvis and the rest of the Dragons squad, including the other Wales hopefuls, in action all season long with Dragons membership priced from £139 for adults.
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