NEWPORT Gwent Dragons captain Kevin Morgan was proud of his team's effort against the might of Clermont Auvergne in the searing heat on Saturday, writes Robin Davey.

He admitted they lost it in the first 20 minutes, but still felt the team had a chance when they pulled back to 27-19 early in the second half.

"We lost it in the first 20 minutes when they won a lot of ball, they monopolised possession and they scored three tries, which was disappointing because we wanted to get to the final," he said. "But we showed a lot of heart and we didn't lie down.

"I can't congratulate the team enough for their efforts, we came back from being under the cosh in that weather to be only eight points down, and if we had got the next score who knows what would have happened? It could have been a totally different game.

"But we knew it would be tough, hardly any teams win here. We worked hard and can take so much out of the game, we've just got to learn from our mistakes, look at the first half-hour and see where we went wrong.

"The forwards were fantastic when we came back and a lot of players had to go out there patched up, that's the problem with small squads, but they still gave their all.

"Clermont are a very good side, they've got 22-25 world-class players with quality right through their side, but we played our hearts out."

Ceri Sweeney played on with typical bravery after taking a bang in the back, but had to go off with ten minutes remaining.

"I couldn't run, I just couldn't stay on," he said. "But we shot ourselves in the foot, the little one- per-centers killed us," he said. "A couple of kicks didn't go to touch, we overthrew at a line-out and if you give as many points away as we did against any side you'll lose.

"But we did ourselves proud, we didn't roll over and we scored tries. We got to within eight points of them and there was a good atmosphere out there, it was played in the right way.

"We've got a small squad and we're only in our fourth year, whereas they are second in their league, but it still wasn't a walk in the park for them.

"It was just disappointing, there's still a big gap between ourselves and French sides. We just need to cut out our mistakes."

Prop Rhys Thomas is shrugging off the six months he was forced on to the sidelines because of a chest complaint, though he played for longer than intended against Leinster because of an injury to Lee Harrison while he then started against Clermont.

"I wanted to start the game," he said. "I'm a little bit unfit, but I'm getting it back and I'm feeling like the old Rhys Thomas, I feel as if all the stuff that's happened to me has gone now.

"I feel positive, the body feels good and if I play in the last four games maybe I'll have a chance of going on the tour to Australia with Wales."

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CLERMONT Auvergne praised Newport Gwent Dragons after they had been pushed all the way in Saturday's European Challenge Cup semi-final at their sun-baked Parc des Sports Marcel Michelin ground, writes Robin Davey.

"They never gave up after we got away to a good start and they had to play catch-up," said Clermont's New Zealand coach Vern Cotter, formerly with Super 12 champions Crusaders.

"They are a good team, they offload well and they've got some good finishers. I enjoyed the first 20 minutes (Clermont went 27-5 ahead) but not so much after that.

"The Dragons are a dangerous side and every time they had the ball they created a lot of space out wide. They also contested the scrums and line-outs well."

Clermont's 16-point Australian outside-half, Brock James, admitted: "The Dragons attacked pretty well and made it hard for us. It was pretty hot out there and both teams seemed to score freely.

"We played well in the first 15 minutes and were pleased to lead 27-5, but we let them back into the game. They never gave up and they showed they can attack.

"We've got good depth here with 40 players and we're happy to be in the final, which is where we wanted to be.

"But we shouldn't be giving that many points away, they attacked us hard and both teams went out there to win. Six tries to five shows both teams did a lot of attacking, but though I'm used to the heat coming from Australia it was a bit too warm out there for April."

Dragons coach Paul Turner, while agreeing his side made mistakes, complained about the size of his squad and the high level of intensity in the game, which they are simply not used to.

"The lack of squad strength is the key, and with such a small squad we find during the season we don't get the intensity in training which we found here," he said.

"They have got a European Cup squad and they are second in the French League, where it's all about intensity. But our accuracy and set piece were poor early on. We always said the first 20 minutes would be crucial, I got sick of saying it and it took some of the sting out of the game.

"We missed touch, there was another, then another, and we were on the ropes as they punished us. But we proved we could play and I'm really pleased we got that try just before half-time which gave us a bit of a sniff.

"But they've got a strong squad, and if you continue to leak against a strong side like Clermont Auvergne you're in trouble if you allow them momentum.

"We always said we'd win it when we didn't have the ball in places like this. The French will come for 20 or 40 or 60 minutes, but they will come and you've got to defend against it.

"I thought Aled Brew was very good today, Ceri Sweeney was good, Gareth Cooper was at times back to his best and Michael Owen did really well, but squad strength is so vital, especially when you're chasing a big deficit."