Humphreys on Dragons defeat

"That was very disappointing" he said.

"We've got a proud home record, which we've just lost. We're obviously disappointed to lose, but we have, against what I thought was a better side tonight.

"We talked at half time about playing in the right areas, about holding onto the ball, being a little more direct and we started off the second half doing that. It's disappointing then to concede a penalty straight from the restart, and give them momentum back. We're disappointed that we allowed them back into the game like that.

"It's disappointing. We'd conceded four tries in the Magners League before last week and all of a sudden we've conceded five in two games. We're realistic though, we're just a point shy of where were at this stage last year and we went on to win the league.

"We just turned the ball over too much, we didn't keep the ball. We tried to play the miracle offloads, which cost us. I thought we needed to keep the ball and play it in the right areas, which we didn't for long periods of time. Again though, I thought the Dragons defended well. Take nothing away from the Dragons. They played the right game. I thought Tovey was outstanding, Faletau was outstanding, he's a great prospect.

"It is difficult with so many players away but that's why we carry a big squad. At times it is difficult to manage, but that is what they are paid to do. To slot in at times like now, in difficult circumstances. These next few weeks we've got the LV= Cup and then two huge Magners League matches that this group of boys have to stand up for us and take us forward.

"We have to earn our money, that's what we all have to do. As coaches, it's easy to say that we've got 'x' amount of players away. We're well aware of that, we know that, but we have to take this team forward. It's a testing time for some of the guys here, they've got to stand up, put their hand up over the next few weeks.

"These periods of the season are testing, and with the introduction of the two Italian teams, they've become hugely important. That's why your squad has to be able to sustain you through that. The next two league games for us are massive and will go a long way to determining where we are at the end. Defeats will hugely dent our ambitions of retaining this title.

"In terms of positives, we're delighted with Richard Fussell, he's been a huge signing for us, albeit one that didn't create a great deal of publicity. He's really showing why we chased him hard.

"We signed Barry Davies as a fifteen who would challenge for a place so he's been a huge loss for us with this groin injury. It was great to seem him on the pitch tonight, he's full of life and he's a fantastic member of our squad. These next few weeks will be good for him.

"Ashley Beck was outstanding. He's a young kid who came through it, and we're delighted with how he went at 10 when we had to move him in as the game went on at the end, so there are some positives there. Just keeping hold of the ball when we have it is the issue at the moment. "