NEWPORT Gwent Dragons were downed 28-15 by Guinness Pro12 title hopefuls Leinster in Dublin. Here are five things we learned…

1: Sluggish start

The scoreline doesn’t tell the whole story because this was a pretty one-sided affair at the Royal Dublin Society until Leinster clocked off.

As Kingsley Jones said afterwards, the Dragons deserve some credit to dig in and stop things becoming ugly and they did well to get in a position to press for a bonus point at the death.

That was in part down to their hosts taking their foot off the gas – which also happened at the Ospreys in October – and if they are to end their horrendous record away from Newport in the league then they must develop the ability to ride out storms and stay in games.

2: Leaky defence on the road

The Dragons’ success at Rodney Parade has been down to a combination of attacking intent and tenacity in defence. The latter was sadly lacking in Dublin.

Leinster’s tries were soft and they found it all too easy to barge over the gain line to secure quick ball while talented centre Jack Dixon, usually so strong in defence, had a night to forget.

In six of seven away games this term the Dragons have allowed their hosts to bag a four-try bonus point, a problem that needs to be solved at Worcester on Saturday.

3: Enterprising approach

One thing that the Dragons did take from Newport to Dublin was an enterprising approach, albeit once the game had gone and they ditched their kick-heavy early tactic.

They challenged Leinster at the death with some lovely rugby and scored two good tries. They are playing a wider game and looked dangerous when Adam Warren moved to midfield.

If the Dragons can go on the run on the Sixways plastic then they stand a good chance of giving their Challenge Cup qualification hopes a big boost.

4: Pretorius problem

I am a hypocrite here because in the past I have suggested that Sarel Pretorius is best suited to being an impact sub to exploit the opposition’s tired legs.

However, it seems a waste of the lively South African’s talent to bring him on in the last half hour, especially in Dublin given that the game was gone by the time Pretorius took off his coat.

Tavis Knoyle has made an encouraging start to life with the Dragons but the Dragons should show their intent by starting with the energetic Pretorius at Sixways.

5: Pecking order

Kingsley Jones has talked about wanting selection headaches and he will need to use his squad wisely in a busy period that puts them against Worcester twice, Cardiff Blues, the Ospreys and Treviso.

However, his pecking order will have crystallised in his mind; when fit the likes of Ed Jackson, Ollie Griffiths, Sam Hobbs, Pat Howard, Sam Beard and Cory Hill are first choice.

There has to be an element of rotation in the modern game but it’s about getting that first XV on the field for Cardiff Blues on Boxing Day when a victory would give them hope of finishing above the side from the capital in the Pro12.