Wasps (3) 3
Pen: Cipriani (1)

The spoils were shared as the Dragons and Wasps fought out a hard-earned draw in their opening EDF Energy cup clash at Rodney Parade.

A penalty each from Dragons outside-half Ceri Sweeney and Wasps centre Danny Cipriani were all either side mustered in difficult conditions.

Each side also had a man sent to the sin-bin in a game of few highlights.

Cipriani looked to have scored a decisive try, but it was ruled out by the television match official.

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The only points in the first half came when Sweeney sent over a 36th minute penalty for the Dragons.

Earlier Colin Charvis and John Hart had both been sent to the bin.

Both sides attempted to play rugby in the second half but the combination of tight defence and bad conditions meant it was never a realistic tactic.

Cipriani looked to have scored the first try of the game after 50 minutes. But his effort was disallowed by the TMO after it was adjudged that he held back Dragons wing Gareth Wyatt while chasing the kick ahead.

Wasps were livid afterwards, claiming the referee was not at liberty to ask for advice from television match official Tony Rowlands.

Director of rugby Ian McGeechan said: "It was in the field of play and he is not allowed [to ask for the TMO's advice] in the field of play on anything.

"It's disappointing because we are pretty certain this has been done in the field of play and not in the try area [where he could ask for the TMO's help]."

Shortly afterwards, Wasps full-back Mark Van Gisbergen missed a straightforward penalty and it looked as if the European Champions were going to suffer a defeat to their Welsh opponents.

But the impressive Cipriani did what his team-mate couldn't and sent over a penalty shortly after to level the scores.

The errors increased as the final whistle drew closer and both sides had to be content with the draw.