NEWPORT Gwent Dragons head coach Kingsley Jones has told his player to take inspiration from ‘unflashy’ Guinness PRO12 leaders Munster when trying to break their away duck on their return to Ireland next week.

The Dragons are still without a win away from Newport this season after being downed 45-17 in Cork, shipping six tries to the league pacesetters.

Hookers Rhys Buckley and Elliot Dee scored tries from driving lineouts in either half but it was another miserable road trip for the men from Rodney Parade, who haven’t won on their travels in the PRO12 for 21 games.

They return to Ireland next Saturday to try and end that unwanted streak by toppling champions Connacht in Galway and Jones wants his charges to learn from the ruthlessly efficient Munster.

“I haven’t been as frustrated as that in a game away from home for as long as I can remember,” said the former Wales flanker.

“The attitude and application of the boys was outstanding and to see the scoreboard at the end of the game is mind-blowing because we kept battling away.

“I felt there was a real edge to our performance at times – and (flankers) Ollie Griffiths and Nic Cudd were excellent – but Munster are a clinical team.

“They gave our players a lesson about high-level rugby because they didn’t do anything flash. They squeeze you, play with a lot of line speed, put you under pressure, wait for a mistake and then punish you.

“You can’t allow them in the corner of the field as much as we did in the first half. The second was better and it was 7-7 until we tried crazy things from our half with the last play.

“But ultimately we led to our own downfall by forcing things. Our own errors, half a dozen critical decisions by us, were costly.”

Jones lamented the decision-making of his team but he also bemoaned a decision by Scottish referee Mike Adamson when the Dragons were pressing on the line at 10-3 down.

“It was a difficult night for the referee. We had a penalty advantage on the try line and tried to play, then there was an interception and I think he missed what happened (after falling over due to a collision with players).

“I was really disappointed with that decision and I thought it helped turn the game, although it was always going to be difficult coming to Munster.”

The Dragons are now a point behind ninth-placed Edinburgh, who left Ulster with a consolation bonus last night, while eighth-placed Connacht face Cardiff Blues in the capital tomorrow.