BOSS Bernard Jackman hopes that the Dragons can once again prosper from his assistants' autonomy when he serves the final game of his stadium ban tomorrow, writes Chris Kirwan.

The head coach has been leading the preparations for the visit of Leinster to Rodney Parade but will not be able to be on the sidelines for a reunion with his former side.

Jackman was given a two-week ban by the Welsh Rugby Union, with another fortnight suspended, for his criticism of referee Ian Davies in the derby defeat to Cardiff Blues.

The ex-Ireland hooker had to watch the 18-12 win against Edinburgh from his Newport home while assistants Ceri Jones and Barry Maddocks held the reins.

"My job is to try and develop coaches as well," said Jackman. "Barry and Ceri, and Ian Evans, are doing great jobs with their respective areas and were well able to look after things on Sunday.

"That's what you want, when there is an issue you need everyone putting their shoulder to the wheel to find a solution."

Jackman was able to toast victory with his coaches after the game in the Pod, a bar owned by former Dragons, Newport and Wales hooker Paul Young.

"Thankfully when I was looking for accommodation in Gwent I decided to live right by Rodney Parade in the new housing along the river," he said.

"I had Premier Sports on and my laptop, which was connected to the feed that we normally get. It was nerve-racking and unusual, but the most important thing was that we got the result.

"There were elements of the performance that were pleasing and we can hopefully build on that now.

"We changed up our routine so that we met up off-site at a hotel to do a pre-match briefing and in fairness we have been working really hard to develop leaders here.

"We have got a really strong leadership group and if you look at the All Blacks, they don't do a teamtalk anymore. Towards the end of the week it's very much player-led.

"Since the start of the season we have been trying to develop that environment and the leaders on the pitch – Ollie Griffiths, Harrison Keddie, Richard Hibbard – were very composed and made sure we performed at the level we prepared at. It was really pleasing."

The Dragons name their team at midday.