LEIGH Jones is staying on as coach at Newport to take on 'the exciting challenge' of making the club a successful force in the new Welsh Premier Division.

It had been thought by many that Jones would leave the Rodney Parade set-up after losing out to Mike Ruddock as coach to the new Gwent Dragons regional team.

But Jones (pictured) said today: "Though I was disappointed in not getting the job, I fully inderstand the reasons why Mike was selected.

"Ultimately, I'm a rugby coach who enjoys the game and enjoys coaching players at whatever level I'm able to and I'm looking forward to the challenge of developing players at Newport and making the side a success."

Jones, who will work alongside director of rugby Darryl Jones, says he is looking forward 'to a very exciting season.'

"We are working hard at Newport to put a spine in place to enable our younger players to express themselves and show the potential they have.

"We have signed a very experienced player in former Ebbw Vale captain and Wales A lock Chay Billen and a very versatile and enthusiatic player in Sione Tuipulotu from Caerphilly.

"They and others will provide the backbone to enable others to thrive.

"I think it will be a very difficult division. It reminds me in many ways of the old Mon-mouthshire League where you had to have a number of footballers and a number of man-handlers."

Newport have put together an exciting squad so far and some have wondered if they have a large budget to work with.

But Jones said: "I think the way Newport have performed and the way they have sold the club over the last couple of seasons make it a very attractive proposition to players.

"The new division will be full of talent, will put players in the shop window for regional rugby and make it very attractive for spectators.

"I think it will be a very vibrant league in it's own right.

"The First Division was a very good division to be involved in last year and I think the new division will be very successful in breeding young players and coaches.

"And while that is going on, I think there will be a certain re-education process in view of regional rugby as well. "Irrespective of what's been going on in Gwent, people have got to support the new regional route."

He added: "Obviously my job is to make Newport as successful as I possibly can and naturally in doing that it will have an impact on regional representation.

"If I do my job well it will make other people's jobs a bit easier."