THE biggest statistic in the United Rugby Championship is the wins column and, sadly, the Dragons head into the break for the autumn internationals on one.
The Rodney Parade club kicked off the season with a dramatic last-gasp derby win against the Ospreys but couldn’t build on it.
The performances were strong against the Sharks and Lions while they frustrated Leinster for 40 minutes in Dublin.
However, things tailed off with a disappointing display against Benetton, who put the squeeze on to stretch away in the final quarter, and in a one-sided defeat at Connacht.
The Dragons believe that they have made progress and are hopeful on brighter times in the next block, which kicks off with a vital derby at Cardiff on November 30 that can set the tone.
The sample size is small but the official URC stats suggest that they have made slight progress in the first six games of the campaign.
The Dragons are in the bottom cohort for most aspects apart from defenders beaten, tackling, turnovers and kicking out of hand.
ATTACK
The Dragons are ranked 15th for points scored (106, average 17.7 per game) and 14th for tries (13, average 2.2).
They are 14th for offloads (34, average 5.7), 13th for metres gained (1,770, average 295) and 15th for clean breaks (31, average 5.2), but they are fifth for defenders beaten (118, average 19.7).
Last season the Dragons were last for points scored (300, average 16.7) and tries scored (36, average 2).
They were also bottom for offloads (122, average 6.8), metres gained (5,447, average 302.6) and defenders beaten (269, average 14.9) while they were 14th for clean breaks (98, average 5.4).
DEFENCE
The Dragons are ranked third for tackles made (975, average 162.5 per game) but seventh for tackle success (80 per cent), while they are first for turnovers won (44, average 7.3).
Last season they were ranked 14th for tackles made (2,565, average 142.5) and 15th for tackle success (85 per cent), while they were 13th for turnovers won (102, average 5.7).
KICKING
The Dragons have racked up more kick metres than any other team (5,732 at an average of 955.3 per game) and only Benetton have kicked the ball out of hand more than their 178 times (average 29.7). They are third for kicks retained (22, average 3.7).
Last season they were sixth for kick metres (13,222, average 734.6), and seventh for kicks from hand (452, average 25.1). They were 11th for kicks retained (56, average 3.1).
DISCIPLINE
The Dragons' place in the table is matched by their spot for penalties conceded - 69 at an average of 11.5 per game.
They are 14th for scrum offences (18, average 3) and 11th for lineout offences (4, average 0.7).
However, they have had just two yellow cards (James Benjamin versus the Ospreys in round one, Chris Coleman at Leinster in round two), a tally that only Munster can beat.
Last season they were also 15th for penalties conceded (197, average 10.9), while they were 15th for scrum offences (57, average 3.2) and 12th for lineout offences (8, average 0.4). They had 10 yellow cards and two reds.
SET PIECE
The Dragons' defence of the drive has been one of their big positives.
However, they are ranked 10th for lineout success (83 per cent) and 15th for lineout steals (two). The Dragons have won 85 per cent of scrums (14th) and won six scrum penalties (11th).
Last season they were fifth for lineout success (87 per cent) and 11th for lineout steals (17).
Their scrum was ranked the worst in the URC (83 per cent won) and they were 14th for scrum penalties (20).
INDIVIDUAL STATS
Taine Basham's powerful finish at Connacht ensured the Dragons avoided being nilled and also put him joint top of the URC try chart.
The 24-year-old from Talywain also scored against the Sharks and went over for a double against the Lions to take his total for the club to 19, closing in on Jason Forster's 24 as the club's top-scoring back rower.
Hooker Brodie Coughlan is fifth for tackles made with 92, behind the 98 of leaders Rory Darge (Glasgow), Sam Berman and Jacob Boyd (both Ulster) and Cardiff lock Teddy Williams' 97.
Back rower Shane Lewis-Hughes is fourth for turnovers won with nine, two behind Cardiff's Dan Thomas and the Ulster pair of Berman and Boyd.
Full-back/fly-half Angus O'Brien is the leader for kick metres with 1,699. Loosehead Rodrigo Martinez is fifth on the penalty count with eight
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