Jones and Holley were the Ospreys managerial team for five years

Ospreys coach Sean Holley is wary of the enemy within the Dragons as Lyn Jones faces them for the first time since leaving the Ospreys.

Ex-Ospreys coach Jones is now part of the Dragons coaching team and adds some extra spice when the two teams meet at Rodney Parade on Friday night.

"He'll have a few tricks up his sleeve on Friday," said Holley.

"He wouldn't be doing his job if he didn't give them a heads up on what we're about."

Jones won two Celtic League titles and the EDF Energy Cup in his five years as head coach of the Ospreys.

But the experienced coach paid the price for the Ospreys' lack of European success as he parted company with them by "mutual consent" last summer.

Jones eased himself back into the game by working with Welsh Premiership club Ebbw Vale as a consultant.

That saw him in regular contact with the Dragons' management, as the Steelmen come under the Dragons' regional umbrella.

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Dragons head coach Paul Turner decided to solidify their working relationship last month, with the offer of a temporary consultancy role at the regional team that Jones accepted.

"I've known Lyn for a long time having played against him and obviously now, years later having coached against him and now with him," Turner said.

"Plenty of experience and knowledge and hopefully that's going to be rubbing off on our players on Friday night."

Jones appointed Ryan Jones as Ospreys captain before the world-class back-rower led Wales to their second Grand Slam in four seasons.

The 27-year-old Lions forward, a nominee for the 2008 IRB international Rugby Player of the Year, has praised his former coach's impact on his career.

"If it wasn't for Lyn, I wouldn't have achieved anything I have been fortunate to be part of so far," said Ryan Jones.

"I've got nothing but respect for Lyn because he gave me the opportunity.

"But it has no bearing who is coaching the opposition on Friday, it is about 22 guys going on the field and performing and get what we want from the game."

Now Jones is in the opposition camp to the Ospreys for the first time in the first Welsh derby of the festive season.

And Holley is wary of the information Lyn Jones will have taken with him the Dragons.

"He knows a lot about our players and a lot about me," admitted Holley.

"But, on the other hand, we know a lot about Lyn. His philosophies won't change and they shouldn't as his ideas on the game are excellent."

Holley was Jones' coaching deputy for both the Ospreys and Neath and received Jones' backing before succeeding him as caretaker coach at the Welsh rugby all-star region.

The Ospreys embarked on a worldwide search to replace Jones and some of rugby's biggest coaching names have been linked to the post.

But stand-in chief Holley has said he would like the role on a full-time basis.

"I have a lot to thank Lyn for," Holley said.

"He gave me a chance here at the Ospreys and backed me, I learned a lot from him. I enjoyed the four or five years we had together and was sad to see him go.

"His return to coaching is fantastic, it's great news for the Dragons as he will bring a lot to them; different ideas , innovative strategies and there will be smiles on their faces on Friday.

"But we have to focus on the Ospreys and we'll be in for a tough time on Friday."

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