A BLOCK of the United Rugby Championship that started so encouragingly for the Dragons is at risk of ending in frustration after a third home defeat on the spin.
Benetton deservedly took the spoils 31-21 in Newport with the Rodney Parade club failing to bag any points for the first time on home soil.
The Dragons ended on the front foot with the aim of scoring a fourth try to claim a pair of bonuses but came up short. They could have few complaints.
Centre Joe Westwood went over for his first try for the Dragons in the first half after an interception but the visitors led 10-7 at the break.
They stretched further away only for the Dragons to respond through fly-half Lloyd Evans, who was first to a botched lineout five metres out.
A jackal in the 22 by Benetton at 17-14 proved to be vital as the Italians went down the other end, turned the screw and stretched clear to earn a five-point haul.
Lock/flanker Shane Lewis-Hughes’ close-range try gave the Dragons a sniff of a pair of bonuses but they couldn’t strike from distance at the death.
Here are some talking points…
BENETTON BLIND SPOT
This was a very different type of missed opportunity to those against the Sharks and Lions.
There was the feeling that the defeats to the South Africans should and then could have been wins but Benetton always looked too strong.
Once again, that the wheels didn’t come off for the Dragons is a step forward but that isn’t something that is going to keep morale up and the punters flocking through the turnstiles in the winter.
Dai Flanagan’s men were tenacious and kept plugging away but they were second best and the missed opportunity on this occasion was for a bonus, or possibly two.
Benetton were worthy winners and had a power game that doesn’t get enough credit.
They won the battle of the gain line and their set piece was on top throughout with the scrum dominant and the Dragons having lineout struggles.
The Italians – who let’s not forget have a hefty budget – hit as hard as anyone out there but don’t have the aura of a hefty South Africa or French side.
Benetton boast wonderful individuals such as Six Nations player of the tournament Tommaso Menoncello, all-action back rower Michele Lamaro, Ignacio Brex but they are also a proper team who will be looking to go at least one step further than the play-off quarter-finals this season, ideally by earning a tie in Treviso.
There is still a sense when an Italian team comes to town that it’s a real chance for the Dragons and it’s time to change that mindset.
Benetton mean business and deserve to be treated with the respect of a Leinster, Munster, Glasgow, Bulls or Stormers.
MADDENING MOMENTS
The Dragons were second-best but can still look at some key flashpoints when they really didn’t help their cause.
They failed to really make the most of a sin-bin period in the first half when chances were botched in the 22 and then shot themselves in the foot when leading 7-3.
Jacob Umaga had just opened Benetton’s account from the tee and the Dragons were pinged for being in front of kicker Lloyd Evans at the restart.
That allowed the Italians to get their formidable scrum into the game to win a penalty that was kicked to the 22, for another penalty that got them five metres out to rumble over for their first try.
That self-inflicted wound meant they were down at the break and then they failed to set the tone for the second half when Taine Basham dropped the restart.
That was soon followed by a key try by tighthead Enzo Avaca, which came from an aimless Rio Dyer kick, a dropped high ball by scrum-half Rhodri Williams and poor tackling by flanker Harri Keddie and fly-half Evans.
The Dragons, as they did against the Sharks and Lions, showed resilience to get back into the game but are paying the price for costly spells when they compound errors.
ONE LAST HIT
The Dragons have probably had a 6/10 start to the season in terms of performances but are 4/10 for points.
They sit 14th in the table with Zebre Parma and the Ospreys beneath them with one final game to come at Connacht on Saturday.
Wales number eight Aaron Wainwright is in line to give them a lift by proving his fitness for the autumn internationals while Australian lock Steve Cummins should profit from blowing away the cobwebs with his cameo off the bench when making his debut against Benetton.
Loosehead Aki Seiuli could come in after his return on a short-term deal while hooker James Benjamin would provide a boost by being in the 23.
The Dragons have put so much into this first block without great rewards but need to keep plugging away and must give it one last blast before a break for the autumn internationals.
They won in Galway in 2021 – it turned out to be a costly victory as Dean Ryan was rewarded with a new contract off the back of it – and it’s not mission impossible, even if they will be big underdogs.
The Dragons need to stay in the fight and must improve their discipline after the penalty count crept up against Benetton.
They can cause problems in attack on the plastic pitch in Galway but need a better conversion rate after good opportunities continued to be botched.
This is a huge game to finish the block and the result will determine the success of it, and set up the post-autumn run of games.
Win and they will be in touch with those in mid-table, lose and it looks like they are already being cut adrift with the basement dwellers.
There is much to admire about the 2024/25 Dragons but that needs be shown in the W column.
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