Jones says the whole Dragons squad are behind Darren Edwards

Lock Adam Jones insists that Newport Gwent Dragons caretaker coach Darren Edwards is the man to be permanent coaching successor to Paul Turner.

Edwards took over the reins on a temporary basis when the region parted company with Turner in February.

And Edwards has said he wants to take over as head coach full-time.

"If you ask every player in the squad they think he has got the ability to take us on with his confidence and with his new ideas," said Jones.

"He's just trying to make the best squad possible, bring good ideas in and we are just building on that.

"He is doing a great job to be honest.

"He's come in and has taken control of the team. The players respond to him excellently. He has got an excellent rapport with everyone and he has got some great ideas.

"And he is very positive with the teams and the youngsters and he's willing to give everyone a chance who deserves it.

If you ask every player in the squad they think he has got the ability to take us on Dragons lock Adam Jones on Darren Edwards

"I think the players have responded to that well and when we do get it right we are a very, very good team."

Edwards enjoyed four wins ad a draw in his first five games as caretaker until a Magners League loss in Munster followed by a 45-17 defeat at Gloucester in last Sunday's LV= Cup semi final.

And the Dragons are looking to bounce back on Friday night with a Magners trip to play Ulster at Ravenhill.

"[The match in Gloucester] was disappointing and difficult. We realised going there to play Gloucester that they were on a big winning role," said Jones.

"And they were very confident in their ability and we just did not step up to the mark and to be honest we let ourselves down.

"On review of the game we realised that it was more our fault than Gloucester affecting our game

"Playing at Ravenhill is always a very difficult ask especially with the home support that they get. So we have got to make sure we are as accurate as we can be.

"It's going to be very physical, very fast and they do play a very good territory game.

"We have still got a fair few games to make up. We are just looking to put as much as our learning experience from the weekend as we can.

"It's going to be a swing in our favour [to have five or our remaining seven games at home], and hopefully we can move up the table."

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