Dragons can do it - Jones (From South Wales Argus)

Dragons can do it - Jones

10:33am Monday 15th June 2009

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NEWPORT Gwent Dragons can win the Magners League in three years’ time, believes departing attack coach Lyn Jones.

And in order to achieve that the former Ospreys chief urges them to believe they can do it as he makes his farewell to the region and to Wales in order to take up a post in charge of rugby at an 1,800-strong British school in Abu Dhabi.

“I don’t see why the Dragons can’t win the league in three years’ time,” said Jones. “I was surprised at the standard when I went there, it was better than I expected, the outside perception is different from reality.

“It’s all about having a vision, then a plan. If you think you can do something you can, people need to believe.

“The spirit among the Dragons is excellent and they have a lot of good rugby players there, they just need time and the right plan.”

Jones believes uncapped trio Jason Tovey, Dan Lydiate and Lewis Evans have a bright future – the trio of youngsters chosen for the Wales tour to North America at the end of the season only have to withdraw because the Dragons’ play-off in Italy coincided with it.

“Lydiate stands out as an international possibility, it’s written all over him,” he said. “He carries the ball well, he listens, he works hard and he doesn’t make mistakes. He has stand-out qualities for people who want to go on to bigger things.

“People forget how young Jason is (he only turned 20 a month from the end of the season), he had a great year and he played lots of games. There’s nothing better than playing.

“He’s got a cultured left leg on him, as good as anything I’ve seen. Lewis Evans is a good player as well and I think Richard Fussell and Ashley Smith are really good players too, as good as some players who have put the red shirt of Wales on.

“The perception is these players are not as good, but the boys have got ability and they set high standards.”

Slightly on the downside Jones says, “The training facilities could be a little better, but that’s not the whole answer, you’ve got to believe because if you don’t you’ll never go anywhere.

“I was lucky enough to win championships with Neath and Llanelli and you go out expecting to win. Believing is the key, but it needs to be built and harnessed.

“You’re not going to win every game, but when you lose you need to ensure you improve next time.”

Jones, who divided last season between Ebbw Vale in the Welsh Premiership before Christmas and then the Dragons, is delighted with the time he spent in Gwent.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my stay, people have been more than welcoming and I’ll always be thankful for the level of support I received at Rodney Parade and Eugene Cross Park.

“I spent a lot of time at Neath and the Ospreys, and it was good to go out to another region. I’ll always be thankful for the opportunity I had at Rodney Parade and I really enjoyed myself there.”

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