ROSS Moriarty is back hitting the heights of the Lions tour in the gym – but Dragons boss Bernard Jackman knows they can't expect the Wales powerhouse to be a miracle worker on debut.

The 24-year-old will make his bow for the Rodney Parade region when they host the Southern Kings on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

Moriarty moved to the Dragons from Gloucester this summer but missed the opening weekend through suspension after being sent off with Wales in Argentina.

The back rower watched on from the Bisley Stand as his new team spluttered to a 21-17 loss to Benetton.

Moriarty will provide a shot in the arm for the must-win clash against the Kings – but Jackman knows that the 2017 Lions tourist will be rusty and that his new teammates need to step up.

"Everyone has to improve. Ross won't be at full throttle, it will take game time, but he is a boost in terms of his attitude," said the head coach.

"Having him on the training field with the team has been a boost but we know that it's going to take a 23-man performance with everyone being better than last week to make sure we get a good result.

"Our back row stock is very strong but Ross has an edge and is a good leader for us already – he just says it as it is and is very direct.

"His collisions in defence are exceptional but we have to understand that it will take him two or three games to be up to speed."

Moriarty featured just five times for Gloucester last season after being hindered by a back problem suffered in the first game of the Lions tour.

However, Jackman says his marquee signing is back to the level that earned the call from Warren Gatland for New Zealand.

"Off the field he has had a brilliant pre-season and is hitting PBs in the gym, on his speed and fitness; physically he is back to where he was for the Lions tour," said Jackman.

"He missed a lot of last season with injury but physically he is looking really, really good… but we all know how important game time is, particularly for back rowers.

Moriarty and wing Jared Rosser, who is back from a hamstring strain, are options for Saturday but the management won't make drastic changes to their matchday squad.

"We saw this first block of games and don't want to be chopping and changing," said Jackman. "We want to get some combinations and cohesion."

That means the Dragons players get the chance to right the wrongs of their error-strewn opening night.

"We want to be better at home and wanted to start the season with a bang at home," said Jackman. "We didn't but how we respond to that will be a good test of our character, but there is certainly no panic.

"As coaches and players we are all very disappointed with how we played, but the boys are human and not machines – just because you want to do something doesn't mean it will happen.

"We just need to build up that understanding of what each individual does, that comes from playing with each other."