Dragons left feeling red after another hammering

DRAGONS’ deficiencies were ruthlessly exposed by a mightily impressive Clermont, who recorded a sixth bonus point win to top Pool 1 with a faultless record.

Clermont rested many of their first choice side but Dragons still had no answers to their power with feeble tackling and a malfunctioning lineout contributing massively to a dismal performance.

Ceri Jones, Dragons head coach until the end of the season, said: “We have had a decent run of form but we need to be better than that as we slipped off a number of first time tackles.

“They are a quality side with some powerful men and you can’t let them get in behind you.”

Dragons showed some resilience in the final quarter but for most of the game, it was men against boys as the Top 14 leaders illustrated that they are playing in the wrong competition – on this display they would test the likes of Leinster and Saracens in Europe’s premier event.

Forwards Paul Jedrasiak and Sipili Falatea showed superb handling skills while tacklers bounced off powerhouses George Moala and Apasi Naqale as the two centres ran amok allowing wings Peter Betham and Remi Grosso to display their talent.

It did take Dragons nine minutes to concede the first try but they were then wrecked by five more in 20 minutes. First Pato Fernandez capitalised on Zane Kirchner losing possession to race away and score before Grosso burst away down the left flank with Aaron Wainwright picking up a yellow card for a deliberate off-side after the wing was hauled down just short of the line.

In Wainwright’s absence, Dragons conceded three tries. Betham’s run set up Alexandre Fischer before prop, Falatea, showed brilliant skills to send Jedrasiak over.

Jedrasiak then crashed through a weak tackle from Lloyd Fairbrother for Grosso to power over before the wing intercepted from 75m for his second and a 35-0 interval lead.

Just before half-time the visitors lost Jedrasiak to the sin-bin for collapsing a maul and in his absence, Dragons kept their line intact but normal service resumed when the lock returned as Betham strolled over.

Jedrasiak scored his second before Jordan Williams finally put Dragons on the board with a consolation try.