NEWPORT Gwent Dragons’ rising star, Steffan Jones, has expressed his desire to stay at Rodney Parade as he enters into contract talks with the region.

Jones made a major impact with the Dragons at the end of the season after impressing during a magnificent year with Cross Keys.

And the 20-year-old outside-half has capped it by winning the Principality Premiership’s player of the month award for April.

Joining the Pandy Park outfit last summer from Cardiff, Jones racked up 338 points in 26 appearances for Keys, steering them into next season’s British & Irish Cup after finishing sixth in the league.

His deadly boot earned him a 20-point haul during their 25-18 home play-off win over Newport last Thursday.

A product of his home-town club, Bargoed, Jones is part of the Dragons’ development squad.

He made his Dragons debut as a replacement in their LV= Cup home victory over Gloucester in November.

But he really hit the headlines after his dream Magners League bow at full back in last month’s great 28-15 win over Cardiff Blues, scoring a sparkling individual try and kicking a long-range penalty.

Jones said: “It has been a great year for me and I’ve grown in confidence as the season progressed. I couldn’t have asked for much more.

“And breaking into the Dragons’ side last month was a massive bonus.

“I had a dream start against the Blues and it’s a game I’ll always remember.”

He puts his development down to “good coaching”, and wanted to thank Dragons head honcho Darren Edwards and Keys backs chief Mark Ring in particular for all the work they’ve put in with him.

“I’ve had good coaching everywhere I’ve been,” he said.

“But Darren has helped me a lot, as has Ringo.

“They both encourage you to go out and enjoy yourself and play an open game, which is how Welsh rugby should be played.”

Jones said he would like to remain at Rodney Parade and sign for the Dragons where he enjoys the region’s famous reputation for its outstanding camaraderie: “The boys have made me feel really welcome and we are a close-knit squad with a great team spirit.”

A fluent Welsh-speaker, Jones went to Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni in Fleur-de-Lys, the same school that produced Wales football captain and Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey.

He transferred to Bristol’s Filton College, where he studied with a certain Toby Faletau, the Dragons’ outstanding No 8, also aged 20.

“Toby’s a good guy and he’s had a dream season,” Jones commented on Faletau, set to win his first Wales cap against the Barbarians next month.