ACADEMY coach Ceri Jones believes the Dragons' development derby double bodes well for the future.

The Rodney Parade club enjoyed a pair of victories during the United Rugby Championship break for the autumn internationals.

They hammered the Scarlets when scoring 11 tries at Rodney Parade and then backed that up with a 38-17 win in tough conditions against the Ospreys in Swansea last Saturday.

The Dragons fielded a mixture of young prospects, Super Rygbi Cymru talent and a smattering of senior contenders.

The Scarlets fixture was a one-sided rout but Jones, who has returned to Rodney Parade to work with the next generation after previously being senior forwards coach and caretaker boss, was pleased that the youngsters were put under more pressure at St Helen’s.

FINISH: Hooker Oli Burrows crashes over for the DragonsFINISH: Hooker Oli Burrows crashes over for the Dragons (Image: Gareth Everett)

“It was a really good performance. I felt the boys really stood up well against a good Ospreys team,” said the former prop, who is also in charge of the pack at Newport RFC.

“To come away with a victory in Swansea is super for the group. It’s a performance everyone in the region can be proud of.

“It was always going to be a real arm wrestle; we knew that with the way the Ospreys play. You have to front up, have control at set piece, and we did that really well to keep ourselves in the fight.

“They came with the maul early on, but we responded well to that and kept them out and took our opportunities when we had them.”

Jones believes the bright talent in the set-up has made clear progress after being given a taste of how the seniors prepare for a week.

He said: “It was a huge development piece for the group. Yes, there were senior boys getting an opportunity and some guys from Super Rygbi Cymru, and we thank them for everything they have done.

“But ultimately it is for players like Barny (Langton-Cryer), Nick Thomas, (Sam) Scarfe. They really showed up and stood up to an experienced Ospreys pack.

“Some of the intellect around some of the plays and tries, which everyone will see, I hope they enjoy them because we did as coaches.

“I look at these games from the perspective of getting Dragons’ boys all playing in a Dragons shirt,” he added.

“A lot of them got to play together at Rodney Parade last week and they wouldn’t have done that since age grade, some wouldn’t have played there at all because we play a lot at Ystrad Mynach.

“For them to come together and gel so well, to gel with that senior group, is outstanding. Hopefully it will now stand us in good stead going forward.”

The Dragons seniors return to action at Cardiff a week on Saturday when they play their first game under interim head coach Filo Tiatia after the sacking of Dai Flanagan.