Summary

  • Dragons 48-28 Connacht: Sam Gilbert try puts Connacht ahead early but Ollie Burrows replies with Dragons try before Che Hope and Jared Rosser also go over, with a penalty try rounding off an impressive first half for hosts. Angus O'Brien kicks two penalties in second half, before Rio Dyer and Hope add further tries. Connacht captain Cian Prendergast stops the one-way traffic with two tries, before Sean Jansen claims one more consolation

  • Ospreys 10-26 Munster: Irish side seal bonus-point win in Bridgend with Shane Daly, Lee Barron, Jack Crowley and Mike Haley tries; Ospreys' scores come from Dan Edwards' early penalty and a Morgan Morris converted try

Live Reporting

Chris Kirwan and Fraser Watson

  1. Goodnight from a Rodney Parade thriller

    FT: Dragons 48-28 Connacht

    Dragons celebrateRex Features

    When Connacht took an early 7-0 lead tonight, few could have envisaged what was to come.

    An outstanding Dragons performance yields a fully merited bonus-point win. Poignantly, pretty much every home player has smiled and gestured to the crowd since the final whistle.

    The perfect pre-Christmas boost for Filo Tiatia's squad - and the coach himself after delivering his first United Rugby Championship win in charge.

    They are back off the bottom of the URC and on Boxing Day, it's the small matter of addressing their wretched record at Cardiff Arms Park.

    The outcome of that one doesn't look quite so inevitable now, does it?

    Three in a row Dragons fans? Well, it is Christmas.

  2. Full-time: Dragons 48-28 Connacht

    And you all thought last week was a flash in the pan?

    What a performance from Dragons. Yes, they tailed off late on but for the first hour, that is as good as they've been in the URC for a long, long time.

  3. converted try

    Converted try: Dragons 48-28 Connacht

    Jansen try, Gilbert con

    Another Connacht penalty and it leads to a try for replacement Sean Jansen, who buries over.

    Sam Gilbert converts with the final act of the match.

  4. Dragons 48-21 Connacht

    Connacht truck towards the line, but are deemed to have been stopped short.

    They have a close-range scrum though....

  5. Dragons 48-21 Connacht

    Sean O'Brien makes ground as Connacht seek that vital fourth try. Dragons are resolute in defence though, before George Roberts is penalised for an off the ball tackle.

    Josh Ioane puts his side for the corner and a chance for the visitors here.

  6. Man of the Match: Rio Dyer

    Dragons 48-21 Connacht

    Rio DyerHuw Evans Picture Agency

    So many Dragons contenders, but Rio Dyer has just been named as the player of the match.

    Are you watching Mr Tandy?

  7. try

    Converted try: Dragons 48-21 Connacht

    Prendergast try, Gilbert con

    Another try for Connacht captain Cian Prendergast.

    It comes from a line-out drive and he just about gets downward pressure over the line. Sam Gilbert adds the extras again.

    Away side now just one try from a bonus point. A great night for Dragons but they don't want to taint it with a sloppy finish here.

  8. Dragons 48-14 Connacht

    Connacht head coach Stuart Lancaster looks glum in the stands. He said this week he was close to knowing his best team.

    If tonight's XV was indeed close to it, the former England boss may need a drastic rethink.

  9. Dragons 48-14 Connacht

    The Irish side are now hunting a losing bonus point, but their night is summed up by Hugh Gavin spilling a pass into touch.

    They're back on the attack though, and a burst from Bundee Aki creates a penalty. Inevitably, Josh Ioane boots to the corner - but the line-out isn't straight.

  10. try

    Converted try: Dragons 48-14 Connacht

    Prendergast try, Gilbert con

    The tidal wave is stemmed as Connacht get their second try through Cian Prendergast.

    The flanker did well to spot a gap just a few metres out and went low to score before Sam Gilbert converts.

    Dragons fans have barely noticed.

  11. Dragons 48-7 Connacht

    Connacht go through the phases near the Dragons line. Not said that for a while.

    A penalty follows and Josh Ioane goes for the corner as the visitors seek a consolation score.

  12. try

    Converted try: Dragons 48-7 Connacht

    Hope try, O'Brien con

    Che Hope try for DragonsHuw Evans Picture Agency

    What am I watching?

    Connacht attack but a loose ball is gathered by Jared Rosser. Dragons counter and Rio Dyer shows searing pace down the left win before giving the inside pass to Che Hope to score.

    Angus O'Brien converts, obviously. If you're a Dragons fan then cancel the Christmas list. Santa has delivered tonight instead.

  13. Disallowed try

    Dragons 41-7 Connacht

    Thomas Young is on, and what a first touch!

    However, after he powers over from long range, TMO Mike Adamson rightfully intervenes to point out the pass from Rio Dyer was forward.

    Shame. That was some finish.

  14. Dragons 41-7 Connacht

    A dreadful knock-on from Ben Murphy gives Dragons another attacking platform.

    Meanwhile, Harrison Keddie goes off to very good ovation. He deserves it as well.

    The Dragons won't miss Aaron Wainwright tonight - said absolutely nobody before kick-off. Thanks to Keddie, they haven't.

  15. Dragons 41-7 Connacht

    Tight-head prop Cebo Dlamini, signed this week on a short-term contract from Griquas in South Africa, is on for his Dragons debut.

    Clearly, the front-rower knew what he was signing for.

  16. try

    Converted try: Dragons 41-7 Connacht

    Dyer try, O'Brien con

    Rio Dyer try for DragonsHuw Evans Picture Agency

    More Dragons pressure and Rio Dyer speeds over!

    A great angle from Ryan Woodman, and the flanker helps create the space for Dyer to go on a looping run before straightening and diving over.

    Angus O'Brien with the conversion, well, you know that bit by now.

  17. Get Involved

    Dragons 34-7 Connacht

    It's turning into the nightmare before Christmas for the Irish side.

    From a Che Hope clearance, winger Hugh Gavin spills the simplest of catches. Dragons have a scrum, a one-man advantage, and, oh.... a 27-point lead.

    Thumbs up if you saw this coming? Thumbs down if, as I suspect with most of you, you really didn't?

  18. Penalty: Dragons 34-7 Connact

    O'Brien pen

    Connacht winger Chay Mullins is pinged for holding on and once again, Angus O'Brien slots it straight between the posts.

    Filo Tiatia looks stern and focused but deep down, the Dragons coach must be delighted with what he's seen.

  19. Penalty: Dragons 31-7 Connacht

    O'Brien pen

    The lead is extended!

    Josh Murphy is on for Connacht and his first act is to concede a penalty.

    Angus O'Brien, suddenly a man kicking with the confidence of a prime Neil Jenkins, makes no mistake from 30 metres out and it's five from five for the full-back off the tee.

  20. Kick-off

    Dragons 28-7 Connacht

    So Tinus de Beer gets us restarted.

    The last Dragons win over Connacht? It was on 9 October 2021.

    What a chance to banish that stat here.