HEAD coach Kingsley Jones has admitted he would “love to lead” Newport Gwent Dragons as the region’s new director of rugby.

But Jones made it clear that if he did take the top job at Rodney Parade then he would still like to be hands-on when it came to day-to-day rugby matters.

The 46-year-old, who held the same post while with Sale Sharks, says he is hoping to talk to the Dragons’ board about the position.

The former Wales captain also stated that he remained open-minded over the role and, if it wasn’t going to be him that filled the vacancy, “it would be great” if someone with “a lot of experience” did.

When asked if he was open to becoming director of rugby, he said: “I’m hoping to talk to the board about it.

“I’ve done it before and I was obviously in charge of Russia as well.

“It’s a different role. Parts of the role that I’m not really keen on are drinking coffee, meeting people and sitting down.

“I can do that job, it’s not a problem, but I enjoy working with the team and focusing on rugby, challenging myself and the players.

“So, if this is a role where I’m, what I was with Lyn really, focusing a lot on the team and giving support in other areas then, yes, I’d love to lead them forward.

“But I’m also open-minded that if someone with a lot of experience comes in as director of rugby it would be great.

“As long as it’s the right person with a lot of experience it would be good.”

Former director of rugby Lyn Jones left the region last week after an end of season review was brought forward.

Meanwhile, commenting on the task at hand for his players when they face the Scarlets at the Principality Stadium on Saturday, Kingsley Jones added: “The challenge for the boys this week is not to think ‘I’ve come here and I’m playing at the stadium’, it’s about making sure they put in a performance.

“Often when you’re young and it’s the first time you’ve played in the stadium or in those big occasions like a semi-final, you may think you’ve achieved your goal, but it’s not.

“I had that experience with Russia. We qualified for the World Cup but I had to tell the players that was the beginning, not the end.

“It’s the same for these boys. They are playing regional rugby and have got a right to play in this game, and they’ve got to go out and win it.”