SIMON Cowell and Bruno Tonioli have it easy; the Anglo-Welsh Cup is harder to judge than the shows on Saturday night television.

It has always been a competition that isn't just about the result; while winning is nice, it is an opportunity to have a look at fringe players and young talent away from the stress of the Aviva Premiership, Guinness Pro12 and Europe.

A lot can be learned about the next generation and players from the fringes can give the management a nudge… but it was always likely to be more about the former than the latter when the teams for the Welford Road clash were named at midday on Friday.

The quirks of the calendar meant that the Aviva Premiership sides had started their Anglo-Welsh Cup campaign the week before the Welsh quartet. They will return to league rugby this coming weekend while a pair of regional derbies are played in Newport and Cardiff on Friday.

Therefore Leicester were keen to prepare for Harlequins with a raft of first-teamers while the Dragons were giving a number of key figures a well-deserved rest. Given the respective squad depths and budgets anyway, it was almost inevitable that the Rodney Parade side would endure a losing start to their campaign.

What will disappoint coaches Shaun Connor and Ceri Jones – boss Kingsley Jones has taken a back seat for the tournament – is that they didn't really challenge the Tigers on their own turf.

That was rather predictably down to being smashed at the set piece, traditionally Leicester's area of strength despite them attempting to expand their game in recent years.

The Dragons just couldn't get enough ball and the possession that did come their way was squandered too easily. At times this season they have looked pretty sharp in attack but there was precious little evidence of their more expansive approach at Welford Road.

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So what were the positives for the Dragons?

Firstly, five players made their debuts in tighthead Leon Brown, Bedwas lock/back row Robson Blake, flanker Josh Skinner, fly-half Arwel Robson and full-back Will Talbot-Davies. The experience will have done them a world of good.

Secondly, hooker Elliot Dee made his first appearance of the season. The Wales hopeful's energy has been missed and his accuracy at the lineout will improve with more time in the middle.

Thirdly, they showed some tenacity in defence despite shipping six tries with back row forwards James Thomas and Harri Keddie in particular putting in some strong hits and showing nice line speed.

That was about it – there will be no five things learned on this occasion – because it was a game that was all over at half-time with the Tigers enjoying a 27-3 lead and having a four-try bonus as the teams headed to the changing rooms under the Crumbie Stand.

The Dragons were on the back foot from the off and, after falling behind to a Freddie Burns penalty, shipped the first try when former Scarlets fly-half Owen Williams was put over down the right from turnover ball.

Fly-half Geraint Rhys Jones got the visitors on the scoreboard with a sweetly-struck penalty but 10-3 was as close as they'd come.

After setting up the opener it was wing Adam Thompstone's turn to cross when a poor midfield defensive read by Adam Warren allowed acres of space down the right (frustratingly so because a lineout drive had been well defended) and then prop Greg Bateman barrelled over from close range.

The fourth was the most frustrating of the lot with Jones trying a needless chip over the top in Leicester's half that was booted long for scrum-half Tavis Knoyle to dawdle close to his line and enable Burns to slide over.

The second half was something of a non-event with chances at a premium, although the Dragons will be frustrated at wasted some close-range lineout opportunities, perhaps hindered in their bid to barge over by lack of timing with new combinations.

Talbot-Davies was undaunted despite his tender years, Robson showed some nice touches and Blake was beefy but Brown was yellow-carded for scrummaging offences in the 70th minute – the 20-year-old had actually helped shore up the set piece after replacing former Wales tighthead Craig Mitchell – and the Tigers finished strongly.

A lineout drive saw loosehead Ellis Genge, who had been released from the England autumn squad for game time, cross and then ex-Llandovery centre Jack Roberts had the final say by exploiting a defensive dog leg.

Defeat was expected but the scale was disappointing and better, much better, is needed when the Scarlets head to Newport on Friday.

Leicester: G Worth, A Thompstone, J Roberts, O Williams (M Tait 40), P Betham, F Burns (O Bryant 69), S Harrison (captain, J Kitto 61), M Ayerza (E Genge 40), H Thacker (G McGuigan 49), G Bateman (P Cilliers 49), H Wells, G Kitchener (E Slater 58), T Croft, W Evans (B O'Connor 58), L Hamilton.

Scorers: tries – O Williams, A Thompstone, G Bateman, F Burns, O Genge, J Roberts; conversions – F Burns (2), G Worth; penalties – F Burns (2)

Dragons: C Meyer, T Prydie (W Talbot Davies 40), A Warren, J Dixon (captain), A Hewitt, GR Jones (A Robson 51), T Knoyle, P Price (S Hobbs 47), D Harris (E Dee 47), C Mitchell (L Brown 34), J Davies (R Blake 58), M Screech, J Thomas (J Skinner 67), N Cudd (C Mitchell 69), H Keddie.

Scorer: penalty – GR Jones

Yellow card: L Brown

Referee: Andrew Jackson (RFU)

Attendance: 18,750 (tickets sold)

Argus star man: James Thomas