DAI Flanagan is frustrated that the Dragons blew their chance to set up a United Rugby Championship shoot-out with the Scarlets.
The Rodney Parade club finish their season with a Judgement Day derby at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).
For much of the campaign it looked like the Dragons and Scarlets would head into the fixture with the aim of avoiding the Welsh wooden spoon.
However, the men from Llanelli earned a bonus-point win against Zebre Parma last time out while Flanagan’s men suffered a fourth straight loss when beaten 26-13 by the Ospreys.
Had they even claimed a consolation bonus then it would have kept their hopes of overtaking the Scarlets alive but instead they are condemned to being Wales’ worst.
“We haven’t picked up enough points in our last three games after we were competitive in our two home defeats,” admitted Flanagan, referring to battling displays against Connacht and the Stormers.
“That could have given us a real target to chase, but doing the double over the Scarlets would still be nice.”
The Dragons won when the sides met at Rodney Parade on New Year’s Day thanks to Sam Costelow’s disastrous missed kick.
They have only beaten the Scarlets home and away once – in 2007/8 – and aim to repeat last season’s shock Judgement Day win over Dwayne Peel’s side at Principality Stadium.
“There are always bragging rights with derby games,” said Flanagan. “We were on the wrong end of that against the Ospreys and it would be nice to finish on the right end of it against the Scarlets and have a feel-good factor going into the summer.
“We had a similar season last year and had our best performance against the Scarlets at Judgement Day, which put a spring in everyone’s step and then there was what felt like a five-year summer [due to the World Cup] that spoilt the momentum.
“It’s a shorter turnaround to next season this time, so hopefully we can get a win and build on it.”
There are concerns over ticket sales for the Judgement Day double-header, which this year is a home game for the Scarlets and Ospreys.
It is unlikely to be a packed house but Flanagan is hopeful of an occasion to give his players a lift in what is something of a Welsh trial before Warren Gatland named his summer squad.
“If there’s any day can inspire the next generation then it’s an event like this,” said the Dragons boss, who played at Cardiff City Stadium for the Blue and Blacks.
“You see the energy and passion for Wales football at the stadium so if we can get a good turnout then it can drive and motivate the boys.”
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