NEW defence chief Hendre Marnitz says the Dragons coaching set-up “want to create our own culture” as they look to turn around the fortunes of the Rodney Parade region.

Marnitz, previously head coach of the Blue Bulls in his native South Africa, joined Bernard Jackman’s backroom staff earlier this month just before skills guru Barry Maddocks arrived.

The two join forwards coach Ceri Jones, backs coach Shaun Connor and elite performance manager Huw Bevan to make up a four-strong team supporting new head honcho Jackman.

“We’ve looked at the last couple of seasons and asked ourselves what we need to change,” said Marnitz. “We’ve really addressed the culture issue.

“We want to create our own culture as coaches, we want to set certain standards and we want the players to chase those standards.

“It’s one thing if standards are driven by the coaching staff but, at the end of the day, the players play on Saturday, we don’t, so we expect them to drive certain standards. If they set the benchmark high it makes it so much easier for us.

“We’re really trying to push the boundaries in terms of the players seeing where we can go and where we want to go.

“Our week in France was a great learning experience for all the coaches as we got to meet the players on a different level.

“Because we were in a small town and in each other’s company there was a lot of time to interact with video work and one-on-ones. It was an invaluable experience for us.”

Commenting on the coaching set-up in more detail, he added: “I can build my own system from scratch and Shaun and Ceri have been very helpful.

“Obviously they have given me loads of information on the playing squad and stuff that was done in previous regimes.

“We get on very well so it’s a great start to a new job when you go into an environment where everybody gets on.

“We challenge one another and not only do we want to grow as a team but also as a coaching unit. We are under no illusions, the last couple of years have been difficult for the Dragons.

“Our aim is to improve every single weekend and if we do the small things right you would be surprised at what can happen.”

The Dragons go to Exeter Chiefs today (3.30pm) in their penultimate friendly before the new PRO14 campaign.