NEWPORT Gwent Dragons were downed 26-21 by Connacht after shipping two tries in the final quarter.

1: Maul misery

The Dragons caught a lot of teams by surprise with their driving lineout last season, using it as a potent weapon in attack and possessing a pretty solid defence, at least until the last game of the season at Munster.

This season, however, they have failed to get too much joy out of their attacking moments while it has been an area of weakness in defence.

Connacht brutally exposed them for three tries. Full-back Tiernan O’Halloran went over when the ball was spun wide in the first half, Eoghan Masterson was driven over just past the hour then Bundee Aki powered over for the winning score after they had rumbled within yards.

The Dragons still had a late chance to win it but were driven backwards after Geraint Rhys Jones had produced a peach of a touch-finder.

A little bit of tinkering is needed.

 

2: The Dragons don’t have the depth to carry such a sizeable injury list

There isn’t a tighthead, but how’s this for a side? Carl Meyer, Tyler Morgan, Pat Leach, Jack Dixon, Tom Prydie, Dorian Jones, Luc Jones, Boris Stankovich, Rhys Thomas, (tighthead), Andrew Coombs, James Thomas, Lewis Evans, Ollie Griffiths, Ed Jackson.

Every side has injuries but the above absentees, some of whom are key figures, are putting a huge strain on a thin squad. It’s also making development through training nigh on impossible.

 

3: The attacking game has come together

The Dragons played some terrific stuff in the first half with Sarel Pretorius sniping away, Ashton Hewitt continuing to impress on the wing and the forwards showing some nimble handling to go with strong running.

They created openings but much like Wales didn’t take enough of them and were stung by Connacht’s power game in the final quarter.

However, at least the Dragons are showing some enterprise rather than the kick-heavy tactics from earlier in the campaign.

 

4: Elliot Dee should be with Wales

It was a challenging night for the 21-year-old from Newbridge after a minute’s silence before kick-off for his mother Lynn, who passed away last weekend.

However, he was once again immense when playing his second 80 minutes in the space of six days.

Good in the set piece, a nuisance in the loss and always at 100 per cent. Sure, Scott Baldwin has been playing well and Ken Owens is a class act but Dee should be spending his time pushing them and developing with the Wales squad during the Six Nations.

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5: Connacht are the Pro12’s Leicester City

Like the Foxes in the Premier League, the unfancied Irish province are genuine title contenders.

They aren’t going away and possess a simple but brutally effective game plan that can earn them a top four spot.

Their mix of hungry local lads and some quality overseas recruits – Bundee Aki must be in contention for Pro12 player of the season – is doing the business and if they finish in the top two then not many sides will fancy heading to the Sportsground.