Dragons Still Have Much To Learn Admits Dai Flanagan After Leinster Lashing

Leinster vs Dragons. (Photo By Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Dragons Still Have Much To Learn Admits Dai Flanagan After Leinster Lashing

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By Paul Jones

Dragons coach Dai Flanagan admitted his team were brought back down to earth after their last gasp home win over the Ospreys was followed by a heavy defeat to Leinster in Dublin.

Flanagan watched his side go down to a 34-6 loss against Leinster at the Aviva Stadium.

Despite giving as good as they got in a highly competitive first half, which saw the home side get to the break with only a 10-6 lead, the Dragons conceded four second half tries to fall to their 14th consecutive defeat to the BKT United Rugby Championship leaders.

“It was missed opportunities,” conceded Flanagan.

“We probably had three chances to score tries and we didn’t. That is how you build pressure on a team like Leinster.

“I thought they defended well, you’ve got to work hard to get across that line, and when we did we have to be more accurate, but I can’t fault the effort.

“Second half they arguably turned the screw a little bit, they went a bit more direct, and we couldn’t find an answer in that moment.

“We worked hard, but how we change momentum in games is a big learning for us.

“Our collisions are improving; our effort is improving. It was tough for us with a six-day turnaround too, but only hard work will help us close the gap.

“We’re not going to give up, and as I said we are one pass away three times from changing the direction of the game. If you come out here and don’t take them, it is tough.

“It’s about being brave now with our skillset. When you get opportunities you feel pressure – we need to start looking forward to pressure, and thrive in it.

“That is a challenge for us now, but we will get there.”

Acting captain Jack Conan and Ross Byrne set the ball rolling for the Dubliners as they sought to give Ireland and British & Irish Lions prop Cian Healy a big celebration to mark his record breaking 281st appearance for Leinster to overtake Devin Toner’s previous best mark.

Flanker Max Deegan, lock Joe McCarthy and wings Jordan Larmour and Aitzol King add the other tries at the home of Irish rugby. Byrne kicked two conversions, while the only points for the Dragons came from two first half penalties from new outside half Lloyd Evans

Flanagan gave new Aussie centre Harry Wilson his first start alongside Steff Hughes in the midfield, while Ewan Rosser came in at full back when Angus O’Brien pulled out of the game at the last minute.

It took a last-ditch tap-tackle from Leinster wing Jimmy O’Brien to stop Rosser from scoring early doors. Then Conan and Byrne struck.

The Dragons lost Chris Coleman to a yellow card in the first half, yet still the performance level remained high. There was a lot of debate over the home side’s third try from man of the match Max Deegan.

Scottish referee Mike Adamson went upstairs to have the try confirmed and the TMO went with his on-field decision of a try. Dragons’ fans felt Evans had got his hands under the ball.

Healy was given a great reception when he left the field in the 52nd minute. Le Cullen was then able to introduce Test stars Rabah Slimani, Joe McCarthy, Josh van der Flier and Harry Byrne as replacements.

McCarthy and wings Larmour and King completed the scoring, while the visitors were unable to add to their first half tally.

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