WARREN Gatland is set to lend a hand to the Dragons in pre-season after spearheading the Lions tour in New Zealand.

The Wales head coach was heavily involved in the appointment of Bernard Jackman, his former hooker at Connacht, as a replacement for Kingsley Jones in the Rodney Parade hotseat.

And when the New Zealander returns from his exertions against the All Blacks he is going to the new head coach at the Dragons’ Ystrad Mynach training base to offer advice ahead of the September start in the Guinness PRO12.

The international management team have always visited the four regions to hold coaching sessions but with the Welsh Rugby Union now calling the shots in the east, the link will strengthen.

Head of rugby Geraint John is working closely with the Dragons on player recruitment – with a heavy emphasis on Welsh exiles – while Gatland is booked in for pre-season.

“Warren is going to get involved in the Dragons, he will come down, Rob [Howley] will come down, Neil [Jenkins] will come down, Robin [McBryde] will come down and we will have access to the medical and conditioning knowledge if we need,” said Jackman.

“We can tap into their expertise and knowledge to make sure we are on the right track and just have a sounding board.

“Warren wants and everybody in Wales needs the Dragons to be successful. If you go down to three good regions it’s not ideal.”

The Dragons management will be helped by Gatland & Co but Jackman, who will be in charge of the attack, is also looking forward to working with forwards coach Ceri Jones and backs coach Shaun Connor.

“I’ve spoken to Shaun and Ceri, giving them clarity in terms of their roles and responsibilities,” said the Irishman.

“I am going to support and help them. I would like to think that when I leave here, whenever that is, somebody within the organisation will be ready to step up to be head coach.

“Shaun and Ceri are enthusiastic, they are young coaches and it’s my job to give them the support they need to give our players the best possible information. Our job is to develop players.”

Jackman is also looking for new recruit Gavin Henson to help on that front after being encouraged by a chat with the former Wales and Lions fly-half/centre.

“It was very important for me to speak to Gavin and Zane because they weren’t signed by me and I just wanted to make sure they are happy with my appointment and aligned to my vision,” he said.

“I couldn’t have been more impressed with Gavin – he’s a rugby nerd like myself! He understands the game, knows why certain things work and knows the role that he has to play with the Dragons.

“He is excited by that and wants to finish where it all started back in Wales. He has a huge amount of ambition and is exactly what we need in that dressing room because he has been around the block and has had a lot of different coaches.

“I am very excited by the three young 10s, Angus, Dorian and Arwel. I spoke to Gavin about the role that I see him having and if he is the best 10 then he will play 10, but there are certain games where he can play 12 and help those young 10s develop with his vision and communication.”