NEWPORT Gwent Dragons went down fighting in their 22-12 defeat to Montpellier in the European Challenge Cup semi-finals. What did we learn from the game?

1. Montpellier are by no means world-beaters

Yes, the hosts were the better team and deserved to go through, but they did not totally outclass the Dragons over the 80 minutes.

They have a huge pack that could rival anyone else’s in the northern hemisphere, and they have some dangerous runners behind, but they could only manage one try in the whole game.

Okay, points are what matter most, though when it looked as though they would run riot at 22-0 up, they didn’t seem able to really put their foot on the Dragons’ throat and kill them off, while other sides possibly would have.

2. Scrum setbacks for Dragons

Now the Welsh region aren’t going to come up against a pack like Montpellier’s every week in the Pro12 but you can’t ignore the fact that the Dragons did concede several penalties at scrum time.

There were a few signs against the Blues that the tight five weren’t quite firing on all cylinders and if you want to win a European competition you must be watertight in the scrums.

Those penalties meant Taulupe Faletau and Sarel Pretorius had little to work with going forward, though things did get better as the game wore on.

3. Goal kicking has to be better

Replacement Angus O’Brien was the only one of three men who took kicks at goal to be successful.

Dorian Jones and Carl Meyer missed crucial penalties in the first half, while Meyer’s attempt at converting Hallam Amos’ try was woeful.

When you are under the cosh against a side like Montpellier you cannot afford to waste opportunities of points – unfortunately the Dragons did.

4. The Dragons must take European form into the Pro12

If the Dragons could perform in the league like they do in Europe then they wouldn’t be where they are in the Pro12 table.

Yes, this season has seen the Dragons claim any incredible number of losing bonus points, which suggests they are not far away from more wins, but they have to find out what it is that will get them over the line in more domestic games.

5. The men from Rodney Parade never know when they are beaten

Things could have really turned sour for the Dragons when they trailed 22-0 in the second half following Montpelier’s try.

However, you couldn’t fault Kingsley Jones’ men for the way they hit back immediately and were the better side in the last quarter.

They did their region proud by sticking in there and refusing to give up when lesser sides might have.