CERI Jones intends to put lessons learned on the family farm in Usk to use by shepherding Newport Gwent Dragons towards becoming a dominant pack.

The two-times capped Wales prop was appointed as forwards coach at Rodney Parade in June and has been putting his new charges through their paces in the first block of pre-season.

When the Dragons return from a short break next week they can expect more emphasis on rugby rather than conditioning with Jones, who coached Worcester's academy and Ebbw Vale's pack last season, prepared to use both the carrot and the stick.

He said: "I'd like to say that I'm a nice coach but other people might disagree! I'd guess I'd class myself as a technical coach but being from Gwent there's a fair bit of passion towards what I am doing as well.

"I try to keep that under control most of the time… but once again other people might disagree!

"We can be player-led but I suppose, going back to my farming heritage, I've got to guide them in the right direction."

Jones, who still helps out at the sheep and beef farm, is excited to be back at Rodney Parade 13 years after leaving Newport RFC for the Stoop.

The prop may have become a Harlequins great by making 231 appearances for the London side but the memories of the Black and Ambers' front eight have left an impression and provide inspiration.

"Gwent rugby has always been known for having good packs and from my time at Newport we had the likes of Ian Gough, Simon Raiwalui, Rod Snow, Adrian Garvey, all high quality forwards," said Jones, who followed in the footsteps of his dad Lyn by playing for the Black and Ambers 97 times.

"I am building from strong foundations because Kingsley (Jones, head coach who was in charge of the pack) has done a really good job.

"I want to elevate that now and my job is to bring the young talent through and help push us up the league.

"We've got to realise where we are at the moment, we have a lot to do but the harder we work, the luckier we will get.

"There are loads of players coming through and we just need to kick on after losing a quite few games by a handful of points last season.

"We've got the likes of Harri and Leon (Keddie and Brown, Wales Under-20s) coming through who will get opportunities, it's up to them to take them but we need to create the environment for them to flourish.

"There is plenty of potential here, and a good mix with experienced professionals like Brok Harris and Rhys Thomas, but we have to turn that into results now."