NEWPORT Gwent Dragons chairman Martyn Hazell has hailed director of rugby Lyn Jones for putting smiles back on faces and more bums on seats at Rodney Parade.

The region followed up home RaboDirect Pro12 victories against Ulster and the with a comprehensive 30-7 success against Zebre last Friday.

That will become four wins from four when Italian minnows Mogliano head to Newport in the Amlin Challenge Cup.

Such results at home are crucial for the business – more punters are heading to Rodney Parade (5,554 watched the Zebre game, a figure only bettered by the Ospreys, Cardiff Blues and Munster games last term) and they are more likely to return after spirited showings.

It backs up the decision to make management changes over the summer following a disastrous 2012/13 when they finished one from bottom of the table.

The Dragons brought in Lyn Jones and forwards coach Kingsley Jones from London Welsh to work alongside head coach Darren Edwards and they are reaping the rewards.

The rumpus over the future of the Heineken Cup rugby has made life uncertain for the regions but at least the sixth-placed Dragons, who are above the Scarlets and Cardiff Blues, are making strides on the pitch.

"We are more than happy with how things have gone so far," said Hazell. "They are playing a much better standard of rugby and the wins have been full of commitment and spirit.

"It was nice to have another home win and a fourth should come on Friday ahead of the big game with Bath.

"It makes us a lot more optimistic for the season ahead and it's great to see smiles on the players' faces, and the fans' as well because the home games so far have been terrific.

"Lyn and Kingsley have come in and done a really good job – I don't think that anybody could have done better.

"It goes to show that we were right to bring them in because if we hadn't then I'm sure we would have been suffering the same as last season.

"The signs are promising and I hope there is still more to come as I am sure the coaches would be the first to say that there is still plenty to work on."

The Dragons are among the 12 clubs of the 38 in Europe's three frontline leagues to have won all of their home games this season.

They are joined by Glasgow and Munster in the Pro12, Saracens, Northampton and Bath from England's Aviva Premiership and Toulon, Toulouse, Stade Francais, Clermont Auvergne, Brive and Castres in France's Top14.