Dragons players defeated Perpignan 29-14 in the first round of the Challenge Cup at the Rodney Stadium. The home team scored four tries, but did not secure a bonus point as this required five tries, given that Perpignan scored two.
The guests led 7-5 after the first half. Jared Rosser scored the first try for the Dragons in the fifth minute, breaking through on the left wing after a multi-phase attack. Rosster thus equalled Ashton Hewitt's all-time record of 37 tries for the club, with six behind Aled Brew.
Perpignan responded with a try by Jules Coulon, with Tristan Tedder converting the score to 7-5. In the second half, Aneurin Owen scored a try for the Dragons after 55 minutes. Tinus de Beer then kicked a penalty, bringing the home team to a 15-14 lead with 45 minutes remaining.
Anzelo Tuvuki also scored a try for the Dragons, with De Beer converting. In the final, Fetuli Paea scored a try, his first for the club. Perpignan twice broke through the home team's defence, with Posolo Tuilagi scoring one of the tries.
Dragons were officiated by Han van Rooyen from South Africa, with Alex Thomas and Hamish Grant from England assisting, while David Rose was the TMO. During the match, Rhodri Jones and Wyn Jones were injured, and Rodrigo Martinez was injured in the defeat to Ospreys a week earlier. Jac Lloyd's score was disallowed due to a forward pass.
Perpignan has yet to win away from home at the Stade Aime Gilet. Dragons will travel to South African Cheetahs at the renovated St Helen's in Swansea in December, playing against Bayonne in Newport in January, and then against Ulster in Belfast. The head coach of Dragons is Filo Tiatia.
