This was very much a game of two halves for Munster Rugby at Rodney Parade.
A dominant opening half yielding five well worked tries descended into a half of unforced errors and try concessions in the second.
Dragons are enduring another miserable URC season. They sit bottom of the URC standings. Several heavy losses to their record this term and this looked to be going the same way as Munster Rugby started on the front foot.
The opening try coming after two minutes. Kilgallen crossing after an excellent line break and pass from Ahern to setup the winger. Dragons defensive shape exposed in a two minute spell soon after. Kendellen crossing over on sixteen minutes and then Ben O’Connor with a super score on eighteen minutes.
Lloyd Evans sin binned a minute later and a penalty try for Munster Rugby on twenty-one minutes. This contest was unfortunately turning into a rout. Bleuler crashing over after a nice running line close to the Dragons line but the hosts defensive work was questionable.
0-31 at the break but credit where it is due, Dragons showed fight and determination in the second half. Munster Rugby will be disappointed with all three try concessions starting with Christian Coleman’s opener a minute into the half. Lapses of concentration punished.
Munster Rugby struggling for cohesion and unforced errors followed. Numerous dropped ball, ambitious offloads not going to hand conceding field position. John Hodnett did score a sixth try on fifty-three minutes.
The final quarter saw Dragons score two more tries. Harry Wilson and Dane Blacker (in particular) tries exposing big defensive line issues.
Munster Rugby looked to respond but Patterson’s try was chalked off and the final phases in this contest saw another unforced error. You can account for player positional issues but there was a sheer lack of ruthlessness and nous in that second half.
This is the end of a tough fixture schedule. Munster Rugby management will see benefits in the opening half and also the introduction of four academy players into the first team. The negatives will be the second half team cameo.
Munster Rugby will need to be more ruthless in their skill set and general game management decisions when dominant. Better sides put fifty plus points on a Dragons side whose squad depth was woefully exposed early in this fixture.
A couple of weeks break until the visit of Scarlets to Thomond Park. A key fixture in the context of the playoffs for both sides. The hope is that the Munster Rugby management and playing squad can improve and evolve from tonight’s outing then.
For Dragons, the genuine question is how do you turn around the fortunes of this franchise? This was a spirited second half performance but this season has been another chastening experience for all involved with the club.
What will the WRU do to arrest the side’s continued slide? The three other Welsh regions have improved their standing position this season. Dragons though continue to struggle.
Disbanding the club is short-sighted so genuine assistance in management and player recruitment from within Wales is required to resurrect the club.