DORIAN Jones wants to prove that he deserves to be a Dragon now that he is free from allegations of nepotism at Rodney Parade.

The fly-half will make his first start of the season in this evening’s Guinness PRO14 clash against Ulster at Kingspan Stadium.

Jones has been charged with pulling the strings by a new boss after his father Kingsley was replaced by head coach Bernard Jackman in the summer.

The 24-year-old, who earned a Dragons deal thanks to his exploits with Ebbw Vale and Cross Keys, was mulling over a move away from Rodney Parade last season to escape the tricky father-son working relationship but a weight has been lifted from his shoulders.

“I have really enjoyed it and it’s been a fresh start for me. I can prove to a lot of people that I deserve to be here,” said Jones.

“You are going to get criticised for a family link and that’s going to be tough whatever line of work you are in if you are working with your father.

“It’s great now to have the opportunity to play under a new coach, learn new things and kick on without that pressure or criticism.

“[Kingsley Jones] got criticised quite a lot and I understood he was in a tough situation to pick his son. That added more pressure to me to show that I was really worthy of playing.

“I felt he was the type of father to be harder on me rather than put his arm round me, it was a tough relationship but we definitely speak more now that he’s not my coach!”

Jones gets to wear 10 on his back in Belfast after being an emergency centre because of a glut of first-half injuries in last week’s 21-8 win against Connacht.

“It was great, you always want to be on the field and to be honest it doesn’t matter what position you are,” said Jones.

“You just give 100 per cent for the badge whatever number is on your back and that was certainly the case last Friday night.

“We had to go to the well and dig in. Everyone did that and to be on the field with the likes of Gavin Henson, Hallam Amos, Ashton Hewitt was a good experience.”

Jones is one of an incredible 13 changes to the XV for Ulster and aims to put in a performance to put the heat on former Wales and Lions playmaker Henson, who is rested after playing all 240 minutes so far.

“We can learn from Gavin but we’ve also got to challenge for that jersey. I want that jersey and will do everything I can to really go for it,” said Jones, who gets the nod ahead of Angus O’Brien.

“It’s a big opportunity for everyone and we’ve got to be hungry and take our defence from last Friday night to Belfast.

“We need to bring energy and urgency, and I am sure everyone will because we’ve been busting for an opportunity. Now we have got it and the chance to keep the jersey.”