Jones will lead Dragons to the Stade Marcel-Michelin on Saturday (kick-off 1pm GMT) following the departure of Bernard Jackman.
The former international prop admits is has been a challenging week for all concerned following the change at the top.
But Jones now wants Dragons to come together as one as they prepare for a series of crunch games in Europe and the Guinness PRO14.
“It’s a huge challenge this weekend and something we have spoken about as a squad,” said Jones, who revealed Richard Hibbard, Harrison Keddie and Ollie Griffiths would all miss the game.
“We are going to the team that are top of the French league and who have a very talented squad. It’s a challenge and we have got to rise to it.
“We will take the best squad available. The Wales squad boys will come back in and hopefully they will make a huge impact.
“It has not been a normal week in Welsh rugby, but it is about galvanising the group of players to give the best performance we possibly can,” he added.
“The players understand that. Everyone knows the challenge in going to Clermont and it is an exciting one.
“It is one of the most formidable places to go in Europe. If you can’t be excited about that, and the Welsh derby games coming up, then you don’t deserve to be here or any other club.
“The senior players have led like they always do this week. They step up and take responsibility and that hasn’t been any different.
“I have met with them and they are very focussed on the field and what is coming this weekend.”
Jones now wants the Dragons players to produce results the region can be proud of and not look any further than this weekend’s European Challenge Cup clash.
“We need to have the results to galvanise the region. We want to produce performances that the region can be proud of,” he said.
“We all know that somebody will come in, but we don’t know who that is yet.
“Obviously we were disappointed for Bernard (Jackman) because he did a lot of ground work for this region. But we’ve just got to focus on looking ahead.
“We need to prepare to go out and give the best performance we possibly can. That is why we are here."
