THE Dragons will follow their usual Monday routine as they prepare for the Sharks, and they will find plenty of encouragement in analysis of their performance at Leinster despite the scoreline.
Those that were watching the Bristol-Gloucester thriller on Friday night might assume that it was the same old, same old in Dublin.
Not so.
Six-try Leinster were more than good value for their comprehensive win but they were given a tough time of it by the Dragons; it was only 10-6 at half-time and the expected bonus only came in the final quarter.
The visitors, with the six-day turnaround no doubt playing a part, failed to really fire in the second half.
They didn’t wave the white flag and could have grumbles about TMO decisions for two of the four tries after the break, which didn’t alter the result but did impact the scoreline.
Those with a pint of Guinness half-empty would say that it was a night to show that the Dragons are still miles off Leinster.
Those whose Guinness was half-full would state that this was a step forward in physicality and attitude by a side who have too often been an embarrassment on their travels.
There were smiles on faces last Monday after the Dragons win against the Ospreys but there shouldn't be frowns this week when they go through the same processes.
TENACITY
The challenge was for the Dragons to show the same fighting spirit that kept them in the game against the Ospreys on opening weekend, which enabled them to steal the spoils at the death in Newport.
It was mission accomplished on that front with Dai Flanagan’s men frustrating their hosts.
It’s easy to say that Leinster, whose whopping budget means that there was a lengthy list of absent stars, were not at their best but that does disservice to the Dragons’ physicality that forced errors.
There were some cracking shots in defence and big moments at the breakdown from the likes of Brodie Coghlan, Harri Keddie, Chris Coleman.
The Dragons had shipped a half-century of points in three of their previous six trips to Dublin, while the last visit was a 43-14 hammering.
There will be frustration that the final try when the clock was in the red, which came shortly after a Dragons error when trying to run out of their 22, pushed the home score into the 30s.
Flanagan’s side went to the Irish capital to win but that was always going to be a long shot.
It was vitally important that they at least returned with pride intact so that they can build on the high of the win against the Ospreys in three vital home fixtures against the Sharks, Lions and Benetton.
There was enough in this performance, certainly in the first hour, to suggest that the Dragons have a good shot at recording at least two more wins in the first block of the URC.
It also gives hope of avoiding another season of being whitewashed on the road.
CHANCES MISSED
The broadcasters placed a camera in the Dragons’ coaching booth but didn’t get a good view of Dai Flanagan, nor his right-hand man Filo Tiatia.
It was instead the face of Matt O’Brien that kept popping up on television and the attack coach could reflect on giving Leinster a few problems.
Well-crafted strike plays could, arguably should, have led to tries in the opening exchanges when Harry Wilson raced through and then Ewan Rosser was denied by a tap tackle.
Another first-half opportunity was missed when Rio Dyer couldn’t gather cleanly when a break was on and then there were chances after the break when Ewan Rosser couldn’t find an offload and Wilson bizarrely kicked just outside the 22.
Easier said than done but the Dragons have to be more cutthroat if they are to get points on the road.
The next destinations are Connacht, Cardiff, Newcastle and Llanelli – much more winnable but they have to be more efficient and get their score into the 20s.
A fault of the URC bonus point system is also that the Dragons would be better off getting walloped but scoring four tries. They need to be sharper and more decisive if they are to have a crack at such bonuses.
LATE IMPRESSION
The Dragons suffered a pre-match blow when Angus O’Brien was a late withdrawal from the XV.
The full-back was hugely influential against Ospreys on opening weekend, rock solid under the high ball and frequently stepping up to share playmaking duties with fly-half Lloyd Evans.
His replacement was Ewan Rosser and that provided the Dragons with a different threat with the Wales Sevens international, who also did well under the high ball, more fleet of foot.
It was a good display by a winger who also impressed at 15 in Belfast last season and the full-back options are deep.
Wales international Cai Evans is currently injured and might struggle for a look in unless he improves on his first season.
Huw Anderson is highly-rated and will keep developing with Pontypool while Jordan Williams is down the pecking order.
Ewan Rosser might be needed more on the wing but he provides an interesting alternative at 15, which is needed given the smaller budgets that the Welsh pro clubs operate with.
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