The talking points from the Dragons against Northampton

ABYSMAL START

A vital game against English opposition requires a rapid start, or at the very least a solid one.

The Saints are no great shakes and headed into the game with a record of five losses from seven (they should probably have enough to avoid Premiership relegation but are looking over their shoulder) but were allowed to build up a head of steam.

A dropped box kick, a breakdown penalty that was kicked to the corner, another penalty for a lineout infringement, another penalty advantage, a close-range try for David Ribbans.

It got worse – poor old Josh Lewis put the restart straight out and went on to put a pair of penalties dead after being a little too greedy – and then woeful defence allowed Dan Biggar to set up the second try for Alex Mitchell.

The first half was a shambles, errors followed errors and the Dragons were lucky to be just 21-0 down at the break, ending with 13 men after a pair of yellows.

They were better in the second half, and somehow had a slim chance of a consolation bonus or even a draw going into the final quarter, but that was probably due to the visitors switching off and the departure of Dan Biggar.

FLY-HALF PROBLEM

Everybody wants Josh Lewis to be a success after his return to Wales from Bath but the fly-half is a confidence player and it is sorely lacking at the moment.

As documented above, he endured a nightmare opening and it is never a good sign if the man chiefly responsible for game management is passing kicking duties to his full-back so early on.

The Dragons have struggled at 10 for a while so it is no surprise that the third coming of Jason Tovey is likely in the coming weeks (see story here).

That can be a good thing for Lewis, taking some of the pressure off in the absence of the injured Gavin Henson.

The former Ebbw Vale playmaker shows some nice touches but needs to work on his consistency. Hopefully Tovey could take some of the weight off his shoulders to help him achieve that.

CROWD FRUSTRATION

One felt for Lewis when the ironic cheers came after full-back Jordan Williams found touch with a penalty but such is life for a professional rugby player, and it’s important to remember what the Dragons supporters have been through.

It’s been pretty grim for years but last season was especially hard, only for fans to be reassured that it would be better in 2018/19. It hasn’t been.

Frankly, it would be understandable if they were more vocal in their disgruntlement – as it was at the end of the Lyn Jones days when the board were also copping flak.

As long as it doesn’t get personal (think back to the treatment of Rhys Priestland by a section of Wales ‘fans’) then the punters are entitled to vent their frustration.

The core of Dragons supporters back their team but at the moment there is quiet resignation when things are going wrong. There may be a few more boos if they are not rewarded with better before the turn of the year.

MASSIVE MONTH FOR JACKMAN

The pressure has intensified on Bernard Jackman and the next block of PRO14 games is huge for the head coach.

Ulster away on Friday followed by Connacht in Galway and Edinburgh and Leinster in Newport.

Fail to record any wins and there will be huge question marks after all the promises of things being better, much better, in 2018/19.

The side last night featured six players who have been called up to the Wales squad for the autumn plus a number of others who have played Test rugby, yet still the display was poor.

The long-suffering supporters deserve better than this and are understandably getting restless.

SAGE HAS SETTLED

I’ll finish with a positive, there were doubts over the South African at the start of the season after the he looked one-paced and sluggish following his November arrival last term.

However, the Welsh-qualified centre looked promising when he got a late call-up for the friendly with Gloucester at Kingsholm and has done well when deputising for the injured Jack Dixon.

There weren’t many positives against Northampton but Sage’s spirit was commendable; he kept going until the end and his toil (and, like Dixon, he is a real grafter) was rewarded with a well-taken try.

Sage is from good stock – his grandfather was legendary Springbok Doug Hopwood and his older brother is Blitzbok sevens ace Dylan – and has something about him.