DEFENCE coach Filo Tiatia believes the Dragons’ dominance in collisions against Bath bodes well for the start of the United Rugby Championship.

The Rodney Parade club suffered defeat in their final pre-season friendly on Friday when beaten 26-3 by the English Premiership runners-up.

Bath led 5-3 at the break thanks to a try by wing Will Muir and they stretched further away courtesy of a score by Ted Hill.

With the Dragons once again brining on plenty of youth for the closing stages, the hosts drove mauls over for tries by Niall Annett and Guy Pepper before defending their line strongly at the death.

Defence coach Tiatia was encouraged ahead of Saturday’s URC opener against the Ospreys (kick-off 3pm), a club where the former All Blacks back rower is fondly remembered for his playing efforts.

CONFRONTATION: The Dragons and Bath packs slog it outCONFRONTATION: The Dragons and Bath packs slog it out (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency)

“There were a lot of positives. There were some big shifts from the Bristol game, some of our collision work, particularly in the first 15 minutes, was really good,” he said.

“We were able to dominate collisions and put Bath under real pressure - it was 5-3 for long periods of the game.

“I was watching for incremental growth on both sides of the ball and our maul defence was excellent again against a very good, heavy pack.

“Bath are renowned for their set piece and collision work, so you have to be accurate. There is lots to be happy about but also lots of room for improvement and growth.

“We need to keep working on parts of our kicking game and also staying in the fight, having the mentality of not giving up.”

The Dragons gave first run outs of the summer to Wales tourists Rio Dyer, Ben Carter and Matthew Screech while it is hopes that their fellow internationals Elliot Dee and Taine Basham plus influential Angus O’Brien will be in the selection mix for Saturday.

“It's a bit of a headache, which is a good thing,” said Tiatia. “Every pre-season game there have been different squads.

“We tried to build some cohesion with the Wales internationals coming back for 40 minutes. The selection process has started now the new season is around the corner.”

Tiatia has arrived as head coach Dai Flanagan’s right-hand man and has enjoyed his first summer with the Dragons.

“I love the boys, they are great to work with and I have been building trust with the players and getting to know them as men,” he said. “I am learning lots about them and the other coaches, it's going well.”