NEWPORT Gwent Dragons director of rugby Lyn Jones insists that the side is improving with every match, writes Andrew Penman.

Two thumping wins over Bucuresti Wolves in Europe has boosted confidence ahead of Zebre’s visit to Rodney Parade in the Guinness Pro12 on Sunday.

And Jones says the progress is clear for everybody to see right now.

“To become a good side doesn’t happen overnight,” he said.

“We have to grow and we have to develop and we have to improve. You can see that happening before your eyes when you watch us.

“I’ve been coaching a long time and you know what to look for and what to listen out for.

“The understanding on the training pitch amongst the players is far more joined up.

“We’ve improved our squad this year with experience and youth.

“That takes time to gel and having a 32 per cent injury rate is not healthy.

“But in the long term we’ll look back at this period as a positive as we’ve learned so much and given airtime to so many promising players.”

Two of those promising players returning to fitness this week are Tyler Morgan and Jack Dixon and Jones has warned the pair that they need to work hard to realise their potential.

“Potential doesn’t earn you a living,” Jones said when asked about the hype surrounding 19-year-old centre Morgan.

“He’s a young fellow with something different to offer but we’re so keen in Wales to pigeonhole players and measure and mark them immediately.

“I’m not prepared to do that. He’s a young fellow who’s got lots to learn but lots of skills to show.

“What’s important for us is that we lay a stage and foundations for him to show what he can do and that’s the same for Jack as well.”

Jones says the LV Cup and the British & Irish Cup has helped the region’s young talent improve.

“The British & Irish Cup is a part of the development of regional players and it would sit in favourably with me as part of several other areas of development,” he said.

“It’s a really good competition because the Championship in England is excellent and it’s a feeder league for the Aviva Premiership.

“We need to make sure we’re in bed with them and utilise each other in the growth of young key players.”