NEWPORT Gwent Dragons number eight Ed Jackson has been hailed for his strong-running, error-free performances after stepping out of the shadow of Wales superstar Taulupe Faletau.

The 27-year-old former Wasps back row forward was one of the bright aspects from last weekend's laboured 11-6 victory against Zebre in the Guinness Pro12.

Jackson was named man of the match after carrying 18 times for 77 metres, beating four defenders and making three clean breaks. He also contributed in defence with nine tackles, adding to the 17 he totted up at Ulster on opening weekend.

The Englishman is set to continue with 8 on his back when the Dragons welcome Munster to Newport on Saturday evening (kick-off 5.15pm) and has been praised for the way that he has filled Faletau's jersey.

"Ed was in the shadow of Toby for a large part of last season but has been excellent in pre-season and the first two league games," said backs coach Shaun Connor. "He has responded to the way that we want to play and is making line breaks and good decisions.

"It's a massive act to follow and you are never going to replace Toby Faletau, he is in the top-two number eights in the world, but I am sure Ed learnt a lot from him. When you have got quality like that, players learn off them as much as off coaches by watching their habits in training.

"If Ed keeps playing the way he is then he is going to be hard to take out of the team. He has almost been error-free in the first two games whereas last year he had lots of good games but there would be unforced errors here and there.

"Eighteen carries is a big amount and he runs good lines, so we need to be getting people like him into the game."

Jackson, leading the way for Pro12 carries with 29 along with Connacht's Bundee Aki, was one of the players that gave the Dragons go-forward against Zebre but at times they were too lateral.

The Rodney Parade side are attempting to play a wider game this season and Connor believes in time they will get the balance right.

"We've got Ed and other players running good lines and had something like 190 passes in the Zebre game where our average last season was 110 to 120," said the former fly-half.

"Take into account the ball-in-play of just over 31 minutes then that's a high number of passes, so there is a definite intent about how we want to play the game but now it's just about being more accurate and having an end product as well.

"It was frustrating and our play between the 22s was very good, we created a lot of opportunities, but you are never going to score a lot of points when you concede 12 turnovers in the opposition's 22."

The Dragons are attempting to win back-to-back league games for the first time since April, 2015 when they host Munster, who they turned over 22-6 in last season's corresponding fixture.