IT’S been all change in the front row for Newport Gwent Dragons this season but hooker Steve Jones insists good things will come to those who wait.

Head coach Paul Turner has been unable to field a settled front row because of injuries to props while Jones has himself been the beneficiary of skipper Tom Willis’ calf problems.

The situation contrasts starkly with recent years when loosehead prop Adam Black and tighthead Rhys Thomas packed down either side of Jones or Tom Willis.

Since they left for Worcester and the Scarlets, respectively, the Dragons have suffered a catalogue of propping problems.

Ben Castle, Ali McKenzie, Nigel Hall and Phil Price have all been injured and the Dragons have struggled in the set piece as a result.

“Since I have been playing for the Dragons we had a loosehead and tighthead playing nearly every game but that has totally changed this season,” said Jones.

“We have been going through players and the front row has changed nearly every game.

“It does make things difficult and we have struggled a bit to be honest, but we have brought boys in and we just have to stick together. It’s just like a half-back partnership, the only way you develop and get used to each other is through playing games.

“It’s tough but we are digging in and hopefully we can put in a big performance in Edinburgh. They are a good unit with a good set piece and it’ll be a big test for us.”

Jones came off the bench to replace Willis early on in last week’s 18-3 derby defeat to the Scarlets – a performance the hooker labelled as poor from start to finish.

It was his eighth appearance of the season and has he had more game time courtesy of the stricken Kiwi and is also poised to take over the captaincy on Sunday.

He said: “I am loving it compared to last year. It was tough not playing but you have just got to deal with it, get your head down and keep working.

“It’s my seventh season here and I want to stay as long as I can. It’s a great club with a terrific fanbase, but then again you do want to play. I’m not getting any younger but when you get the chance you want to perform well.

“I think I have played some pretty good stuff this season but you are always striving to improve. You always look for the little things and I am the worst for that – if I miss a tackle then I am down on myself for a few days.

“Hopefully we can all put on a good show at Murrayfield, I’ve won there a few times and we’ve got nothing to fear. But we can’t afford to give away penalties because that gives them free points with Chris Paterson there to bang everything over.”