Ryan: We must answer physicality

Dean Ryan admitted his Dragons needed to face up to the challenge of physicality after defeat to a direct Ulster Rugby side in the Guinness PRO14 in Belfast.

The home side wrapped up a bonus point win at the Kingspan Stadium by half-time after a power-packed opening 40 minutes.

Dragons hit back to win the second period, with tries from wing Ashton Hewitt and replacement Jamie Roberts.

But Director of Dragons Rugby Ryan insisted the second half display should not detract from the first and the issues his team needed to address.

"We were disappointed at how we got marched back, especially at the scrum,” said Ryan.

“Four or five times we couldn’t get the answer and it ended up with Ulster in our 22.

“We’ve got to face up to the challenge that we were outgunned. They are very direct and got very fast ball.

“There weren’t a lot of issues around us being in the wrong position, we just couldn’t answer that physically.

“All Irish sides have been pretty direct and at the moment we haven’t had an answer to that speed of ball,” added Ryan.

“I am pretty sure about what is coming next week and we’ve got to challenge ourselves internally to solve that.”

However, a huge positive was provided by back row forward Ollie Griffiths on his first appearance since March.

“Ollie was outstanding," stated Ryan. "To have not played for as long as that and come in to be the one player that had threat on the ball (was impressive).

“When he was around the tackle we had a chance but the rest of the team need to work hard to reach those levels.

“For some other players it is physicality in the tackle to slow it down, we just didn’t have enough of that.

“You can’t just keep making tackles and tackles and tackles because a side as direct as Ulster will get you over the line, so there is a lot to work on for Munster. We’ve got to face up the challenge of physicality.

“Our first half performances against Leinster and Ulster haven’t been good enough to answer their speed of ball.”