WE can be proud of this team, says Newport Gwent Dragons coach Mike Ruddock after their battling effort to win the Celtic League title ended in glorious failure at Lansdowne Road last night.

The Dragons scored a magnificent five tries to secure a bonus point against a Leinster team containing seven World Cup players.

But it wasn't enough as Leinster roared back from a 26-12 deficit to win a fast flowing high scoring game 56-39 to deny the Dragons.

Llanelli's victory over Ulster gained them the title instead while Ulster's bonus point cruelly denied the Dragons even runners-up spot.

"We can all be proud of the boys, to come to Leinster and score 39 points, with five tries and make them play like that was a great recommendation for the side," said Ruddock.

"We almost did it, but Leinster's experience and power told in the end after a really open and fast flowing game.

"But losing Percy Montgomery was a massive blow. He gave us a kicking game out of our half and we couldn't relieve the pressure in thesame way. We couldn't get out of key areas with the same mileage"

Ruddock was well aware of the drama unfolding back in Wales at Stradey Park.

"I was getting text messages with the score coming in from Llanelli, and at one stage I was thinking 'you never know,' he said.

"But Leinster were up for it and they turned up the heat to deserve their success.