A busy summer of recruitment has seen 14 players arrive at Rodney Parade as Jackman has put his stamp on both the playing squad and backroom team.
Jackman has been pleased with the quality of the new additions – many of whom have impressed during the pre-season build-up.
However, with under a week until the season opens with Benetton Rugby on home soil, Jackman insists retention as well as recruitment has been key.
“We knew we needed to rebuild the team and we’ve had a successful recruitment campaign,” he said.
“We’ve got some talented young boys who are going to become really important to the Dragons in the coming years. We’ve now brought in experience too, players who are ready to go now.
“Last year we gave 64 players games in the Guinness PRO14, which is incredible for a small squad. This year we want to give 30 players games.
“We want to have a really tight core first team group and keep them fit and healthy and make sure we are repetitive every week.
“We have a lot of young and hungry players who are passionate about playing for the Dragons,” he added. “The recruits who have come in have bought into that and we are improving our culture and in a better place.
“We’ve brought guys back from across the bridge, good players who want to come back and make a name for themselves.
“I have been massively impressed by how much those guys want to come back and prove a point, help the Dragons and play for their country. When you get that type of motivation for the project it helps massively.
“We have a nucleus of Dragons players who haven’t always had the right environment or the support of the depth of squad. We’ve recruited to give them that.
“But it’s not going to be recruits that turn the Dragons around, it is going to be core guys that we had already. It’s a squad effort and everyone has a big part to play.”
Watch the Dragons tackle Benetton Rugby this Saturday at Rodney Parade. Click HERE to buy online and take your place for the start of the new Guinness PRO14 season
