NEW boss Bernard Jackman has not yet decided who will lead his Dragons side out for their season opener and has challenged his leaders to stake their claim to be captain.

The Irishman has taken over the reins from Kingsley Jones and has been putting his new charges through their paces over the past month.

Back row forward Lewis Evans captained the Dragons last term and is the region's record appearance holder with 204 games.

The 30-year-old will be a leading candidate again but Jackman has several other contenders.

Six-times capped lock Cory Hill, 25, was vice-captain for Wales' summer tour after impressing Robin McBryde with his leadership qualities while 22-year-old back row forward Ollie Griffiths, who won his first cap against Tonga after being the Dragons' player of the season, became the youngest captain in Newport RFC's rich history at the age of 19 in 2014/15.

Wales wing Hallam Amos, 22, got his first taste of captaincy when he led the Dragons at Treviso last season while South African lock Rynard Landman, 30, has previously been the skipper.

But Jackman isn't worried about who has done the job in the past, the ex-hooker is looking for a captain with fresh eyes.

"I've said it's a fresh start and that there is no hierarchy," he said. "I will try and leave the captaincy as late as possible but I am looking for potential leaders to stand up.

"We will have a leadership group that will evolve over the next few months but for me it's about getting the right person rather than rushing into it.

"There are a fair few leaders but I have to make sure I find the best one; we have to make sure we are unbelievably ruthless in every decision we make because we have a lot of ground to make up [after finishing 11th last year]."

Hill, Griffiths and fellow Wales tourist Tyler Morgan will be back for testing on Friday and the squad will then be given next week off before stepping up rugby preparations on their return.

Jackman has previously stated that he has arrived with no preconceptions about pecking orders for positions with players who found chances hard to come by last season getting a chance to stake their claim.

All players are set for considerable game time on the weekend of August 11 when the Dragons taken on Montpellier on the Friday evening, after a week-long training camp in France, and Northampton at Franklin's Gardens the following afternoon (kick-off 3pm).

They finish their preparations for the Guinness PRO12, which could soon be PRO14 with the introduction of the Kings and Cheetahs from South Africa, with a trip to English champions Exeter on August 19 (kick-off 3.30pm).