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The Men of Gwent secured a 35-12 win at Rodney Parade to keep their Challenge Cup knockout hope alive
Two tries from Wales wing Rio Dyer moved the Dragons to within touching distance of a European knockout place in a 35-12 win over Newcastle Red Bulls at Rodney Parade on Friday night.
Filo Tiatia’s side moved up to third in Pool 2 of the Challenge Cup after the win, with the top four qualifying for the round of 16. However, the two sides directly behind them – Perpignan and the Lions – face each other on Saturday evening, with it mathematically possible both could move past the Dragons in the table.
However, that would require a draw between the two teams, with both needing to score four tries each – meaning the Dragons’ wait won’t be as anxious as it might have.
After last week’s hammering to Benetton in Italy, the Dragons went into their final pool match knowing qualification wasn’t in their hands.
But two tries from the in-form Dyer – who will be challenging for a starting spot in Steve Tandy’s Wales team come the Six Nations – helped them on the way to a bonus point victory that has put them within touching distance of a first Challenge Cup knockout place since 2023.
Bar a madcap few minutes before half-time where the Dragons managed to throw away a hard-fought lead, the Dragons were well worth their win – with a convincing second-half performance putting Newcastle to the sword.
The early exchanges had seen the Dragons’ maul cause the Gallagher Prem side plenty of problems, while David Richards looked lively coming off his wing.
However, despite the early pressure, any reward on the scoreboard wasn’t forthcoming as a few errors stopped them from making more of those attacking forays.
As the first-half wore on, things became a little scrappier as Newcastle wrestled back a foothold – with a scoreless first 40 minutes looking a distinct possibility.
However, just after the half-hour mark, in-form Wales wing Dyer broke the deadlock – scything through the Newcastle defence from Aneurin Owen’s inside pass.
However, the Dragons’ hopes of a half-time lead evaporated after a few minutes of self-inflicted misery.
First, a forced pass was put down by Dyer – with Newcastle wing Alex Hearle breaking away to set up an try from nothing for scrum-half Simon Benitez Cruz.
However, if that try was gifted to the visitors, then the second moments later was wrapped up with a bow.
Having won a turnover from the kick-off, scrum-half Che Hope’s rushed cross-field kick only found Christian Wade – with the winger having the pace to race 80 metres untouched.
Angus O’Brien had the chance to reduce the deficit on the stroke of half-time, but his penalty was wide of the mark.
Wales hooker Coghlan looked to have drawn the sides level four minutes after the restart following a smartly-worked lineout that saw him canter down the left wing.
However, a TMO review showed Wade and opposite number George McGuigan did just enough to get Coghlan into touch before he could ground it.
Moments later, the away side were reduced to 14 men after Jamie Hodgson caught centre Owen with a high tackle, with the second-row shown a yellow card.
The Dragons’ capitalised almost immediately, turning back to their impressive maul to rumble over – with Coghlan being rewarded this time.
O’Brien’s superb touchline conversion gave the Dragons a slender lead.
Looking to make the most of their numerical advantage, replacement Rodrigo Martinez almost made an immediate impact for the Dragons after coming on.
However, the loosehead was held up over the line.
The Men of Gwent wouldn’t be denied, with lovely work from centre Fine Inisi giving Dyer enough space to once again leave Newcastle defenders in his wake for a superb second score.
As the Dragons looked to kill the game off, Newcastle were once again shown a yellow card – with replacement Reuben Parsons sent to the bin after a lineout infringement.
Once again, Tiatia’s side wasted little time – with another powerful driving lineout earning them a penalty try and the bonus point.
The dying moments saw the Dragons add a fifth, with the lively Richards getting in on the action to finish off a cross-field kick from player of the match O’Brien.
