WALES and Lions boss Warren Gatland has hailed his former protégé Bernard Jackman as the “ideal fit” for Newport Gwent Dragons, writes Chris Kirwan.

The ex-Ireland hooker will start life in the Rodney Parade hotseat on Monday after taking the reins from head coach Kingsley Jones.

Jackman played under Gatland for Connacht in 1997 after being convinced to shelve plans to finish the final year of his international marketing and Japanese degree in Japan.

“Gatty was brilliant,” Jackman told the42.ie last year. “He was really good and his genius is at getting that group feel-good factor, getting the group mindset right and he got us on track.”

Now he will work closely again with his former boss, who returns to his Wales job after a Lions summer.

Gatland believes Jackman is the perfect man to bring through the talented youngsters on the Dragons’ books.

“Bernard is an ideal fit for the Dragons and I know he will be work diligently and exhaustively to ensure that the set-up both on and off the pitch at Rodney Parade is of the very highest quality,” he said.

“He will be a huge asset to the region, he will create the right environment to allow a talented group to become even better players and is someone in whom the supporters will find they can put their trust as he will work tirelessly in his pursuit of success.”

The move is the first big change since the Welsh Rugby Union were given the green light for a takeover of the Dragons, with the governing body previously announcing their intentions to drop Newport and Gwent from the name.

“He carries the weight of hope and expectation of a group of extremely passionate rugby supporters on his shoulders but we believe he is more than equal to it,” said WRU chief executive Martyn Phillips.

“We are confident that he is the right man for the job and we will be providing our continued support wherever necessary.”