DAI Flanagan wants the Dragons to show a killer touch now that they have shown they are bigger hitters in the United Rugby Championship.
The Rodney Parade club suffered a 34-6 defeat to Leinster in Dublin on Friday but they frustrated the Irish heavyweights for large chunks of the game.
It was just 10-6 at half-time and Leinster only secured their bonus point in the 65th minute, eventually ending with six tries after bossing the second half.
However, the Dragons showed some progress and it was far from a disastrous display on the road.
In the first half they cut Leinster with some enterprising moves but ultimately paid the price for not taking chances in the 22.
“We were pass away two or three times,” said head coach Flanagan. “We put pressure on Leinster and if you don’t come away with points and take those opportunities then it is tough.
“Their big game players squeezed us at the end but the effort was outstanding and our collisions were a step forward.
“We have to be brave with our skill sets. When you get those opportunities, you feel pressure. We need to thrive in it.
“Leinster defended their 22 superbly and made us work hard, but I can’t fault the effort of the guys.”
The Dragons were in touch at half-time after a pair of Lloyd Evans penalties and unconverted tries by number eight Jack Conan and fly-half Ross Byrne.
Back rower Max Deegan scored early in the second half – although it looked like Evans had got under the ball – and then lock Joe McCarthy barged over from a slick lineout move to earn the bonus in the final quarter.
Leinster twisted the knife with another generous TMO call for wing Jordan Larmour when it looked like Jared Rosser had held him up and then Aitzol King crossed with the clock in the red.
“Leinster turned the screw a bit, they found solutions and were more direct,” said Flanagan.
“How you change momentum in games is a big learning for us but you can see that our collisions and effort is improving.”
The Dragons now face a key run of three home games on the spin with the Sharks visiting on Saturday followed by the Lions and Benetton.
They will assess full-back Angus O’Brien after he was a late withdrawal in Dublin while lock George Nott went off in the early stages with an injury to his arm.
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