European Challenge Cup: Dragons progression 'still possible' - Kingsley Jones

Dragons have lost two of their opening three games in this season's European Challenge Cup

Newport Gwent Dragons head coach Kingsley Jones believes his side can reach the knockout stages of the European Challenge Cup despite defeat at Worcester.

Dragons had started the day second in Pool Three but are bottom after they lost 33-20 and Brive beat Enisei-STM.

Jones' side host Worcester on Friday before games at home to Enisei-STM and Brive away in January.

"I think it's still possible," said former Wales captain Jones.

"We have to be in a position to win our home games to make sure we're still alive by the time we get to the Brive game.

"Brive are a tough team away from home but the way Brive are going they've got three home games left and could be well qualified by the time we get to that last game."

The five pool winners will qualify for the quarter-finals along with the three best runners-up.

Leon Brown was one of two Dragons players to be shown a yellow card against Worcester

Worcester's second-half comeback saw them beat Dragons and Jones acknowledged the English Premiership side's scrum caused his side problems.

"They picked some front line props and some very big guys but ultimately we felt we could deal with that," Jones added.

"When we're in our 22 we struggle with the physical sides and the idea is to keep the ball moving and play outside the 22.

"If we allow teams in the 22 as easy as we did in the second half then it's a challenge against a big physical team like Worcester.

"We've got a short turnaround in six days to play the second half of this game if you like and we've got a lot to work on.

"There were lots of good as well. I thought our lineout was impeccable and Ashton Hewitt's finishing was excellent.

"But it's the bits in between. Tactically we've got to be smarter."