HEAD coach Kingsley Jones believes his Newport Gwent Dragons side were given a harsh but timely reminder in the capital that it will take a team effort to upset the odds in Saturday's European semi-final in Montpellier.

The Dragons head to the south of France for the Challenge Cup clash on the back of a 28-8 Guinness Pro12 derby defeat to Cardiff Blues.

The men from Rodney Parade created a number of opportunities on the plastic pitch at the Arms Park but all they could manage was a Sarel Pretorius try from a driving lineout.

Wales wing Hallam Amos was guilty of botching a three-on-one close the line and there were several instances of players going for miracle offloads rather than holding onto the ball and building pressure.

There was no shortage of endeavour but Jones, who was once again in charge with director of rugby Lyn Jones still said to be ill as speculation intensifies about his spell at the helm being over, was disappointed by his charges going off script.

"We talk about playing as a team and young guys want to impress and play for Wales but the only way to do that is playing as a team and getting results," said the head coach, who was angered by the performance of Irish referee Peter Fitzgibbon.

"If we get wins on the trot then everyone will be recognised but there was a little bit of trying too hard for themselves, something that they didn't do in Gloucester (in the shock European quarter-final win last weekend).

"That is a good reminder that if we don't hang onto the ball then we will be on the wrong end of the result in Montpellier.

"I don't want to beat players up because they know where they went wrong and are working hard but we probably left 21 points out there and we did have plenty of opportunities."

Both the Dragons and Top 14 title contenders Montpellier, who beat Stade Francais in Paris on Sunday, have a six-day turnaround to the Altrad Stadium showdown.

The region start preparations at their Ystrad Mynach training base on Tuesday and are hopeful of having two of their key men fit and ready.

Centre Tyler Morgan was taken off at half-time as a precaution because of a swollen ankle while fellow Wales star Taulupe Faletau suffered a nasty eye injury but the swelling has come down.

"The temptation was there to make changes but with it being the Blues the boys wouldn't have been happy with that," said Jones, who made just one change to the matchday squad from Kingsholm.

"It's a big six days for us now. We are disappointed with this outcome but games like Montpellier are what we are in this job for.

"It's now about turning up for training fresh of mind and then making sure we take our chances in Montpellier."