The Rodney Parade region lifted the burden of getting their first win on Sunday with a 33-15 victory over basement boys Benetton Treviso. Ashley Smith made his long-anticipated return from a foot injury that has kept him on the sidelines for six months – while Jason Tovey and Lee Byrne also made their return to action to bolster the decimated back division.
Their comebacks boosted the average age of the back line by more than two years after four 19-year-olds were thrown in for the regional derby against the Ospreys.
Jones said: “It makes a huge difference when you have got experienced players back from injury and it just allows the youngsters to grow. I thought we had a really positive attitude to play and some of handling, go-forward and off-loading was good while our turnover count was low.”
Wales wing Hallam Amos (2), centre Ashley Smith and scrum-half Jonathan Evans crossed to clinch the Gwent region’s first try-scoring bonus-point since the opening day of the 2012/13 season. And Jones reckons their first triumph has proven the Dragons’ progress after a summer of new arrivals at Rodney Parade.
He said: “There were a couple of lapses but I am very satisfied. Positive performances and a bonus point win helps people understand that what we are doing is right. It’s going to take time to develop a team but we have made strides since September 1 and this is exactly where we thought we would be at the end of the month.
“Now we move forward and this win gives us a boost going into the Scarlets.”
However, the Men of Gwent face a fresh injury crisis ahead of away trips to the Scarlets, Edinburgh and Ulster. Cory Hill was forced off in the second half of their victory whilst Ian Gough, Matthew Screech and Joe Davies are still out and Andrew Coombs is banned for another week following a stamp against the Ospreys.
