Jack Dixon, Ross Wardle and Dan Way have all agreed new deals that will see them remain at Rodney Parade until at least 2017 and Jones wants the trio to be among those pushing for senior Wales recognition in the near future.
Centre Dixon first wore Dragons colours at the age of just 16, while wing Wardle and prop Way are seen to have equally bright futures as the Dragons resurgence gathers pace.
Dixon is currently out injured after foot surgery but he had been heavily tipped for a spot in the Wales squad for the Dove Men Series prior to that setback and he is expected to play a major role in the Dragons’ attempts to become a real force in domestic and European rugby.
Now 18, Dixon made his first-team bow back in October 2011 and has gone on to tally 26 appearances. He was the youngest player to feature in the U20 World Cup with Wales in 2012 at a time when he was still eligible for his country’s U18 side.
Wardle came up via the Principality Premiership with Bedwas, having previously been in the Wales Rugby League squad at the age of just 17, and the 22-year-old has featured in seven games this term after making his debut last season.
English-born tighthead Way began his rugby career with Swindon before moving to Pontypool and Blackwood but he qualifies for Wales at the end of the current season when he will have been with the Dragons and lived in Wales for three years at the same time.
“I’m very pleased with the direction of Newport Gwent Dragons and it’s crucial that we get the right people on board. These three players have big futures ahead of them in the game,” said Jones.
“It’s important that we identify key players. All these players have potential and now have an opportunity to show consistency and improve on their skills this season.
“In recent years, Gwent have failed in supplying players into the National squad and we must reverse that trend. My target is to dramatically increase our current contribution by the end of my tenure here.”
The news is a further boost to the Dragons after they returned to winning ways against London Wasps in the LV= Cup at the weekend following a run of four successive defeats, starting with a 26-10 reverse at Bath in the Amlin Challenge Cup.
They travel to Glasgow Warriors this weekend in the RaboDirect PRO12 and then host Munster the week after, before returning to European action with a double header against Bordeaux-Begles on December 6 and 12.
