THE Dragons’ slim hopes of qualifying from Pool One of the European Challenge Cup were extinguished by defeat in Northampton. Here are the talking points from the 48-14 loss at Franklin’s Gardens….

CHEAP TRAVEL

A bus mishap led to the Dragons arriving at the ground at just past 2pm, under an hour before kick-off whereas teams normally aim for around an hour-and-a-half.

The Rodney Parade region travelled to Franklin’s Gardens and back to Wales in a day for budget reasons.

The decision for a professional team to travel on the morning of the game – around three hours on a bus before a team meeting closer to the ground – is highly questionable.

It may be cheaper than an overnight stay but it’s riskier and the Dragons were bitten. It wasn’t the reason for defeat but it certainly didn’t help their bid for an upset.

This was not an Anglo-Welsh Cup game, it was a European tie and the sight of Bernard Jackman’s team heading to their changing room while Wales fly-half Dan Biggar was already going for goal in his pre-match routine was an embarrassing one.

If the region is to be taken seriously then the little things, like finding room in the budget to travel properly, must be taken care of by the hierarchy.

Try scorers Adam Warren and Nic Cudd live in west Wales and a 400-mile round trip in the day plus 80 bruising minutes isn’t right for players in a professional rugby.

SLUGGISH START

The Dragons had a pretty normal warm-up, so it wasn’t their travel that was the prime cause for a nightmare start.

As the Premiership table shows, the Saints are not a great side and their prime concern is beating the drop.

But Northampton were gifted a dream start by the Dragons’ sloppiness with their best player at fault when Wales full-back Hallam Amos was stripped as he attempted to run out the kick-off. That led to a five-pointer with 80 seconds on the clock and it was soon a 12-point lead.

The Dragons needed a morale-booster after their Leinster debacle but instead they had to chase the game.

South Wales Argus:

RED ZONE PROBLEMS

Northampton possessed the power to bully their way over three times in the first half with the likes of Luther Burrell, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Api Ratuniyarawa being put in the right areas by half-backs Alex Mitchell and Dan Biggar.

The Dragons, meanwhile, huffed and puffed.

They responded well after going 12-0 down and dominated territory and possession only for their many trips to the 22 to provide no points.

Worse than that, it lost them their captain Richard Hibbard when he was smashed by Owen Franks in a tackle (although his replacement Rhys Lawrence had a pretty solid game).

The Dragons’ driving lineout finally worked when Nic Cudd went over in the closing stages but it’s not currently the potent weapon that it has been in the past.

DEFENSIVE WOES CONTINUE

The Saints built up their lead thanks to their power game and it wasn’t really through defensive howlers, although they did make yards a little too easily.

However, the third quarter of the game was demoralising and reminiscent of the Leinster finale.

Northampton cut through like it was a training session and, stung by Adam Warren’s score, went over for tries on 46, 51, 53 and 57 minutes.

How often have we said about the Dragons having to graft hard for any points but then their opponents rack them up too easily?

It will take time for the new defensive system to bed in but with Clermont-Auvergne and then three Welsh derbies, there isn’t much time available (especially given the change to training schedules over the festive period).

Heads went down in that third quarter and Jackman spoke about old habits creeping in when legs are tired.

But the Dragons have to be resolute next weekend…

BIG GUNS NEEDED IN FRANCE

The Dragons had slim hopes of qualification as soon as they were drawn with Northampton and Clermont-Auvergne in June.

They would have hoped to still be alive in the tournament for Saturday’s trip to Stade Marcel Michelin but the 10-0 doubling by the Saints has ended that.

The Dragons are out but it is essential that they go to France fully-loaded in order to keep things respectable against the Top14 leaders.

Clermont are in Europe’s second tier this season but are a side who are right up there with Leinster and Saracens.

Cory Hill, Elliot Dee, Ross Moriarty, Aaron Wainwright and Tyler Morgan will all be needed after being given last week off because of their Wales exertions.

It’s not about the defeat, it’s the manner of defeat and the Dragons can head into their three festive derbies with a bounce if they battle hard against Clermont.