NEWPORT Gwent Dragons have appointed a new head coach with Bernard Jackman taking the reins at Rodney Parade and Kingsley Jones moving to a job with the Welsh Rugby Union.

The governing body will take operational control of the region on July 1 but have already started preparing for next season.

The first appointment of the new Dragons regime, after a review of the coaching set-up, is to appoint former Ireland hooker Jackman as new boss.

The 41-year-old was previously head coach of Grenoble, joining the Top 14 side in 2011 after cutting his coaching teeth with Newbridge and Clontarf in Ireland.

He will be charged with helping the Dragons to a much-improved season after they finished with just Zebre beneath them in the Guinness PRO12 last season, winning just four league games.

“It is a huge honour for me to be joining the Dragons at such an exciting time in their history,” said nine-times capped Jackman, who starts on Monday.

“The region is a hotbed of Welsh rugby and to join at such a significant moment in time is a challenge I relish. I can’t wait to get started and look forward to meeting the playing squad and the backroom team.

“We are obviously at the beginning of a major period of transition off the pitch, but on it we will need to quickly get down to work and reward the faith and obvious passion of our supporters throughout the region.”

Jackman played for Connacht under Wales head coach Warren Gatland and the Lions boss believes his fellow former hooker is a perfect fit for Rodney Parade.

“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,” said Gatland.

“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 at the Dragons and he is someone in whom the supporters will find they can put their trust as he will work tirelessly in his pursuit of success.”

Former Wales captain Jones is leaving the Dragons after four campaigns, initially working part-time under Lyn Jones before stepping into the hot seat last season. He will now head up the WRU’s exiles programme.

“It’s been a tough decision to step away from the role as head coach of the Dragons but both myself and the directors agree that in light of the recent change of ownership it’s the appropriate time for a change and a fresh start for both myself and the Dragons ahead of an exciting new period for our proud rugby region,” he said.

“It has been both a privilege and an honour to lead the region that I grew up in over the last four years.

“During that period I have been lucky enough to work with so many talented players and coaches. I would like to thank each and every one of them for their support and hard work and look forward with eagerness to witnessing them reach their full potential and achieve their goals.

“On a personal level I look forward with a great deal of enthusiasm to a new challenge in a pivotal role within the WRU performance department.

“The opportunity to help identify, develop, coach and manage potential future regional and international players really excites me.

“There is no better feeling for a coach than seeing someone achieve their full potential knowing that you have had a positive influence on them along their journey, it’s the main reason I have coached for so long.

“This is an exhilarating new chapter in my coaching career and I can’t wait to start.”