Newport Gwent Dragons 28 Connacht 19

THE Dragons leap-frogged their Irish opponents and soared into second place in the Celtic League table after disposing of a dangerous Connacht team at Rodney Parade.

It means they go into the Heineken Cup next month with an unbeaten home record after disposing of all comers.

They look a vastly different proposition from the one that I last saw pre-World Cup in September, far more confident, moving with ease and clearly well-structured.

If anyone had suggested the Dragons would go into Europe in December as the best-placed Welsh team, no-one would have believed it.

But that is exactly the position they are in, with competition for places now hotting up, as well, to give some much-needed strength in depth.

World Cup players Rod Snow and Ross Beattie went on as second-half replacements, while Michael Owen also made his debut after missing out on the World Cup.

But the damage had been done, and the platform set up before their arrival by the players who have lifted the Dragons up the table.

They led 18-3 at the interval and seemed on their way to a comfortable victory, but Connacht never know when they are beaten, and they shaded the second half in terms of points.

The biggest revelation was the centre partnership of Steve Winn and Hal Luscombe, a penetrating pair of runners who caused endless problems, Luscombe in particular appearing transformed, full of menace.

Flanker Jamie Ringer has also made major strides with his all-action play, and was coach Mike Ruddock's man of the match.

The front five were soild enough, providing a strong platform for the rest to work off, though a tendency to try to walk the ball over the line and the decision not to go for goal several times cost the Dragons more points.

One further try would have given them a bonus point to put them joint top of the table, though their points aggregate is inferior to leaders Ulster, who visit Rodney Parade in 13 days for the opening Heineken Cup clash.

The Dragons got their first try when hooker Steve Jones burrowed over after Luscombe, Winn and Gough (with a juggle) handled in an all-out assault on the line.

Lee Jarvis, a late replacement for Craig Warlow, who injured an adducta muscle in the warm-up, had already slotted two penalties, and he added the conversion.

The Dragons managed a rare try from first-phase possession when Rhys Oakley won lineout ball off the top, Luscombe made a break and Ben Breeze swept across for the try.

But the Dragons were soon hauled back after the interval when Connacht showed why they have beaten Llanelli, Neath-Swansea Ospreys and Ulster this season.

Mark McHugh, playing at centre, with former Newport regular Matt Mostyn at full back, slotted three second-half penalties to add to one in the first half.

Though Luscombe accelerated away for the third try after linking delightfully with Jarvis and Winn for Jarvis to convert, Connacht pulled the deficit back to six points when skipper and hooker Bernard Jackman crossed from short range for McHugh to convert.

But the Dragons made certain of the spoils and that second place when Jarvis landed his third penalty near the end. There was even time for replacement hooker Paul Young to win a lineout for the first time in his career.

A decent Sunday crowd of 3,057 chanted "Newport, Newport," as the team left the field. A favourable response from the administrators this week, and the future of top- class rugby at Rodney Parade should be assured.

Newport Gwent Dragons: S Tuipulotu, N Brew, H Luscombe, S Winn, B Breeze, L Jarvis, G Baber, A Black (R Snow 45 mins), S Jones (P Young 78), C Anthony, I Gough (R Beattie 69), P Sidoli, J Ringer, R Oakley (M Owen 52), J Forster (captain).

Scorers -- tries: S Jones, B Breeze, H Luscombe; conversions: L Jarvis (2); penalties: Jarvis (3).

Connacht: M Mostyn, C McPhillips, D Yapp, M McHugh, W Munn, D Hewitt (E Elwood 40), M Walls, D McFarland, B Jackman (captain), A Clarke, D Browne (M McCarthy 75) A Farley, M Swift, T Carter (M Lacey 55), J O'Sullivan.

Scorers -- try: B Jackman; conversion: M McHugh; penalties: McHugh (4).

Attendance: 3,057

Referee: A Ireland (Scotland).