The Dragons, who were forced to field several youth-team players, went down 42-10 to their Welsh rivals with Wales fly-half Dan Biggar claiming 22 points.

“They can go all the way,” Turner admitted. “They were too strong for us in the set pieces, but I’m pleased the youngsters had the opportunity tonight and a lot of club players as well.”

The gulf in resources between the two team-sheets was obvious with the Ospreys naming an entire team of internationals.
But despite the heavy, bonus-point defeat, Turner was proud of the way his youngsters, including 17-year-old scrum-half Jonathan Evans, stood up to their illustrious opponents.

“Evans showed his ability and Andrew Coombs, Jevon Groves and Rhys Jenkins took their opportunity which augurs well for the future,” he added.

“It was always going to be a tough ask, we tried to paper things over during the week and I’m amazed that the Ospreys are still as strong in depth at this time of the season while we’ve got 14 or so players injured.

“We’ve really copped it in the last couple of weeks, we were a bit despondent after the Blues game which we could have won and it’s been hard to pick the boys up after that.

“Next season we’ve got to be more consistent especially away, we’ll have to show more resolve because we’ve left too many points on the table.”