NEWPORT Gwent Dragons suffered more misery on the road when beaten 47-17 by Glasgow. Here are five things we learned from the Guinness PRO12 clash at Scotstoun Stadium.

1: Dropping heads

The Dragons’ resilience in defeat in Galway was admirable, digging deep to give themselves a chance of taking the spoils at the death against champions Connacht.

That performance makes the past two games all the more baffling. They have shipped 15 tries to Leinster and Glasgow and while it’s not fair to say the white flag has gone up, it’s just been too easy.

Confidence is clearly a problem because of the PRO12 away losing streak that will now stretch beyond two years.

2: A wasted strong start

The Dragons were a touch unfortunate to go into half-time losing 14-10 after starting pretty well and being good value for their 10-0 lead.

The way that point number 1 unfolded was all the more galling for the manner that they had troubled Glasgow with Rynard Landman’s try their reward.

They went from that high to being under the pump on their line and the Warriors were ruthless to strike twice before the break.

The Dragons’ mental fragility meant a four-point deficit turned into a mission impossible within 10 minutes of the restart.

The visitors had done the hard work to give themselves something to cling onto but then played like they had grease on their hands.

3: Timid tackling

That game in Galway was full of determined defence but in Glasgow there was far too much turnstyle tackling.

One-on-ones were missed while the gaps were far too big and far too frequent for the Warriors to glide through.

Sure, Gregor Townsend’s men play some nice stuff and are cunning with ball in hand but the gains were far too easy and when they made bursts it was a case of ‘after you, Claude’.

4: Absent Ed sorely missed

The Dragons’ form has slumped dramatically since the turn of the year and while they are missed the wow factor of wings Hallam Amos and Ashton Hewitt, arguably Ed Jackson has been a bigger loss.

The number eight, who has undergone shoulder surgery, was a standout performer in the first half of the campaign and provides big moments in attack and defence.

Lewis Evans is trying his heart out as a deputy but is more suited to blindside and the Dragons just aren’t making the hard yards without Jackson.

5: A glimmer of hope?

I’ll finish on a positive note… of sorts. The Dragons finished with hooker Elliot Dee, flanker Ollie Griffiths, number eight Harri Keddie, centre Tyler Morgan and full-back Will Talbot-Davies on the field.

Glass half-empty: That potential is being wasted and young talent is being contaminated by costly defeats.

Glass half-full: There are some wonderful young players on the books (Amos and Hewitt, Leon Brown, Jared Rosser plus, in time, the next batch of Wales Under-20s) that can shine if put alongside quality experienced operators.

The Dragons simply have to get it right over the next few years to stop the above names following Taulupe Faletau, Dan Lydiate and Luke Charteris out of the exit door.