Future talk but admits he needs new faces

how special he is,” he told the South Wales Argus.

Jackman gave a measured response to the views of Williams and Ward, saying: “They’re entitled to their opinions.

“We respect everyone’s opinion. We are not where we need to be, but we’re working as quickly as possible to become a team that can produce international rugby players.

“Obviously we are going to have to recruit next year.

“We’re going to bring in some talent, but we’re going to have to get the foundations right, which is a culture, a really good work ethic, and implement a defensive and attacking system.” Nevertheless, despite Williams’ assertion over Griffiths, the Dragons had five players – Hallam Amos, Tyler Morgan, Cory Hill, Ashton Hewitt and Griffiths – in Wales squads last series.

Wales face Australia, Georgia, back-to-back World Cup holders New Zealand and South Africa this autumn at the Principality Stadium, with Griffiths hoping to make coach Warren Gatland’s squad.

He said: “I want to play more and establish myself at that level. I know that I need to play well for the Dragons week-in, week-out and then hopefully I will get another opportunity.”

Jackman, who is targeting Saturday’s clash with South African outfit Southern Kings at Dragons’ Newport lair, defended his selection against Ulster.

“Everybody else rotates their squad. The Irish have been doing it for years but what they have is depth. I need to get that depth and that’s the project.

“Anyone who plays well will get bumped up the depth chart. I have an obligation to give people an opportunity. It was about individuals trying to step up and show they deserve more game time.

“Certain players did, but others didn’t hit the level that is needed to be competitive. That’s another black mark against their name. If you want to build a winning region you have to make some hard decisions.

“We also have to target games and try and up-skill this group, try and find five, six, seven regulars who are good enough to play for us in our first-choice team.

“We have got real footage now to go and work with them and try and make sure we speed up their learning.”

Meanwhile, Harrison Keddie has joined the casualty list at Dragons after a shoulder operation, which is likely to rule him out until late November.