Boss Dean Ryan insists Dragons are in a ‘good space’ as they bid to keep learning and improving in the opening months of the season.
Dragons are back in action on Friday evening in Scotland as they face Edinburgh Rugby in the Guinness PRO14 (kick-off 7.35pm).
Ryan’s men suffered a 50-15 defeat last time out against champions Leinster in Dublin.
However, Director of Dragons Rugby Ryan is keen to highlight the positives from the loss at the RDS and ensure his team remains realistic as they look to move forward.
“In a strange way after the last result, we are actually in a good space. We are enjoying coming to work,” he said.
“If you start a race a long way behind someone else it’s unrealistic to think you are going to keep popping your head in front of them.
“We’ve seen at times, when we have got things together, we have been competitive.
“The Leinster game was not one where we have got enough parts right to be able to stay competitive for long enough, against a side that were clearing smarting off the previous result.
“It was tough. You had young Connor Edwards in midfield against some real quality back play was under some pressure, but we are here to support him and see the things he can learn and move on.
“We will also hold some tension with some senior players and say we could expect better from you. There are moments in the game when we can get more out of you. That’s the challenge from week to week.
“It’s unrealistic to ask where we are compared to Leinster or Munster,” he added. “Our region is starting from a distance behind them and my job is to keep this group improving.
“Even in the result against Leinster, we showed elements of the game. I’m really proud of the forward pack in the effort they put in.
“We had some really powerful parts to our game in collision, scrum and driving lineout.
“It is undermined by moments of madness or the pressure creates indiscipline. That is our tension and that is where we keep working to move this region forward.”
Dragons are next in action on home soil on Saturday, November 16 when they face Castres in the European Challenge Cup at Rodney Parade. Click HERE to buy online and enjoy Early Bird discounted prices!
Even in the result against Leinster, we showed elements of the game. I’m really proud of the forward pack in the effort they put in...
