Head Coach Dai Flanagan has urged his Dragons to go back to basics and get the fundamentals of the game right when they face Ulster Rugby in the penultimate game of the season.
The Men of Gwent are in BKT United Rugby Championship action in Belfast when they face the Ulstermen at the Kingspan Stadium on Friday evening (kick-off 7.35pm).
Dragons will be looking to respond after difficult defeats to Ospreys and Glasgow Warriors in recent weeks.
And Flanagan has revealed how honesty and hard work have been key for the squad in preparation this week.
"We have got to be better. I haven’t changed my language all year,” he said.
“The last two games have been tough and, collectively and personally, it’s been a step back for us from where I believed and where we thought we were heading.
“We’ve had to regroup and work harder to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
“You’ve got to look it in the face and be honest with each other,” he added.
“The fundamentals of the game, whether that is contact, set piece or kick chase, we let ourselves down in those areas.
“We have got to go back to basics - that is important for us.
“We knew we had a tough end to the season with Glasgow away, Ulster away and Scarlets at Principality Stadium.
“We know what’s coming, there is no surprise. Collectively we just must be better at the fundamentals of the game and make sure we can stay in the fight longer.”
We’ve had to regroup and work harder to make sure it doesn’t happen again...
