A MUCH-IMPROVED Dragons display in France on Saturday has given the Men of Gwent plenty to be positive about going into the Guinness PRO14 Welsh derbies over the festive period.

That was the assessment of interim head coach Ceri Jones after his side’s 49-24 European Challenge Cup defeat by Clermont Auvergne at the Stade Marcel-Michelin.

Jones took charge of the team following the departure of Bernard Jackman, although his stint as caretaker boss is likely to be for just the one game.

The Dragons plan to have a new man in the hotseat on Monday ahead of Friday’s showdown with Cardiff Blues at the Arms Park – they host Ospreys on December 30 and go to Scarlets six days later.

“The effort and desire was exactly what we needed to see,” said Jones after the Clermont reverse.

“I thought in parts of the second half we really put them under pressure, got close on the scoreboard, and if we had got another try it really would have put them under pressure.

“There was no lack of effort and to score three tries against that kind of quality opposition away from home is a positive for us.

“We fronted up really well and took no backward steps. We went toe-to-toe in an intimidating arena and the players can be proud of that attitude.

“Defensively, we need to sharpen up still, system errors and individual errors have cost us. But if we show that effort and willingness to work hard we will get there.

“It’s not the result or scoreline we wanted, but the attitude was good and we must pull together now and get ready for the Welsh derby games.

“We got some momentum in this game, so we look at the positives, take that intensity and willingness to play forward and work on cutting out the errors and lapses in defence.”

He added: “I thought Cory Hill was excellent at six. He showed his adaptability and was a real success story for us.

“The key big second rows, Matthew Screech and Brandon Nansen, gave us real power in the pack and worked well together.

“I was really pleased for Josh Lewis too. His control of the game was good, his kicking off the tee was assured and he was a real standout for us.”

Tyler Morgan sustained a facial injury which will be assessed, but the Dragons hope it shouldn’t make him a doubt for the Blues game.