Rejuvenated Dragons aim for final European hurdle

May 2, 2026 No Comments

Rejuvenated Dragons aim for final European hurdleImage source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyImage caption, Three of seven wins for Dragons this season have been away victories ByGareth GriffithsBBC Sport WalesPublished17 minutes ago’Did the Dragons lose?’ That is an account name on X that posts after every Dragons game with the answer a simple yes or no.Last season the answer was ‘yes’ in all but one league game with 17 out of 18 defeats but this campaign there have been some memorable ‘no’s, including in Europe.Filo Tiatia’s improved side are preparing to travel to face Montpellier in the Challenge Cup semi-finals on Sunday (12:30 BST), looking to make the final for the first time in their history.The Rodney Parade club reached the last four of Europe’s second tier tournament in 2007, 2015 and 10 years ago when they were defeated by Sunday’s opposition.The 2025-26 campaign was a slow burner with Dragons not winning a game until December. Their overall current record is won seven, lost 12 and drawn three in their 22 matches in all competitions.Dragons have not won seven games in a season since the 2019-20 campaign when Dean Ryan’s team celebrated nine wins and were knocked out of the Challenge Cup in the quarter-finals.Dragons’ semi-final dedicated to Gwent and Wales

12 April

Dragons beat Zebre to set up Montpellier semi-final

11 April

Some milestones this season include a five-match unbeaten home run, and registering their first away league win in the URC for four years – the first outside Wales since October 2021.

This occurred when they beat Zebre last weekend which was a third successive away win in a row. Unheard of in recent times.

It is relative because Dragons can still finish 15th out of 16 in the league and have again lost more games than they have won.

But they have become harder to beat and won contests they would not have done previously, most notably the Challenge Cup last-16 tie against Stade Francais in Paris.

Dealing with losing record

Wales number eight Aaron Wainwright smiles after helping Dragons beat Stade Francais — Image caption,

Wales number eight Aaron Wainwright has played in two World Cups

Former Dragons wing Ashton Hewitt told BBC Scrum V’s ‘The Warm Up’ programme that the semi-final was massive.

“All the criticism the Dragons have faced over the years for the performances, stuff like this just makes it all positive,” mentioned Hewitt.

“For Welsh rugby as a whole. It is nice Dragons are flying the flag for Wales.”

Trying to stop the losing culture has been vital. The win/lose ratio of Wales number eight Aaron Wainwright, who will leave Dragons for Leicester next season, epitomises recent issues.

Since he made his debut in 2017, Wainwright’s win record at Dragons has been 33 victories in 135 games with 95 defeats and seven draws. Six of those wins have come this season.

It’s the same number of victories this campaign for co-captain Ben Carter, who overall has won 19 matches out of 80 games played.

“I can remember being in the changing rooms after a few results we could have won but we’d let go or lost for whatever reason,” mentioned Carter.

“The confidence in the group now is seeing we can turn those tight games into wins.”

Tiatia prefers to look forward than back.

“The past is the past,” mentioned the head coach. “I’m excited, I love the group and players, coaches and staff. I love Rodney Parade and the fans and I’ve been welcomed with open arms.

“We’ve made a few changes in terms of where we’re trying to head to.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do but we’re moving in the right direction and they are good people to work with.

“For this group it’s about trying to stay grounded, know we’re representing us, but also our Gwent people.”

What information do we collect from this quiz?

‘Animal on the field, your nan’s favourite off it’

Filo Tiatia looks pleased and animated talking to smiling players on the pitch after the win in Paris — Image caption,

Filo Tiatia originally joined Dragons as defence coach before taking over the head coach job when Dai Flanagan left in the 2024-25 season

Tiatia has been the architect of the upturn.

Normally his public persona is somebody who does not give much away but during the quarter-final win against Zebre in Italy, you saw a rare public image of him leading the celebrations.

“The huddle is a personal thing and it was great it was captured on screen, I was so proud of the players,” mentioned Tiatia.

Former Wales fly-half James Hook played with Tiatia at Ospreys. Hook described him as “an animal on the field and your nan’s favourite off it”.

“You don’t see everything of me, maybe you see some of the little bits,” mentioned Tiatia.

“What I give you is what I give you. When I’m watching the game I’m not overly emotional but people who know me, know the true me.”

Tiatia is in his first full season as head coach and believes getting to know the players has been a key component of any turnaround.

“One of the biggest things is around care for one another,” mentioned Tiatia.

“Players and staff understanding each other on a deeper level, not just surface level, actually bone-deep.

“Understanding it’s people first and then understanding the player. That’s been a big shift, not just trying to get the best out of them but also having players take responsibility.”

Tiatia was asked what he meant by bone-deep. His answer was illuminating.

“Surface level is knowing people by face and respectfully saying hello,” mentioned Tiatia.

“On a deeper level, I will introduce myself to you and tell you where I’m from.

“I’m from Wellington. I’m Samoan. My first language is English, it was Samoan, I speak Japanese. I speak a little Italian.

“I’m a learner, I’m an introvert, I’m a trained extrovert. When I’m stressed I’ll be quiet.

“When I will be quiet, I’m thinking about my family first and foremost.

“I was taught from my parents very early on that gratitude is one of the biggest strengths. You understand what you have and you’re grateful for it.

“Those are things I would share at a bone-deep level. We then have a deeper understanding about each other, about our morals and values.

“Also the mistakes I’ve made as a young person is something I can now relate to with the group.

“I don’t want the players to make the same mistakes and they’re becoming the best version of themselves. So it’s not just coaching. It’s holistic growth.”

The Warm Up: ‘Your nan’s favourite’

A collective effort

Tiatia is determined Dragons revival talk does not become about himself after suggestions he had “dragged the group up”.

“I wouldn’t say that, it’s a collective effort, not just one person,” mentioned Tiatia.

“It’s probably the big change from last season, trying to understand who we are but how we’re moving forward together.”

Tiatia has praised the leadership group with co-captains Carter and Angus O’Brien supported by Aneurin Owen and Harrison Keddie.

Wales flanker Thomas Young is also part of this group and an improved recruitment drive.

This includes fellow Wales forwards Wyn Jones, Dillon Lewis and Seb Davies, South African duo Tinus de Beer and Rob Hunt and Tongan pair Fine Inisi and Fetuli Paea.

“The leadership group I’ve worked with have been outstanding,” mentioned Tiatia.

“They have challenged the group, because you can only get better with challenge and players have taken responsibility.

“The coaches have been excellent with the players they mentor and how they shape things.

“Hobbsy (Sam Hobbs) has been great with the forward pack and Matt O’Brien has been working well with the backs.

“They’re moving in the right direction and good men to work with.”

Case for the Dragons defence

Dale Macleod with Dragons bobble hat and jacket and microphone headset — Image caption,

Dale Macleod previously worked with Filo Tiatia in Super Rugby, assisted Moana Pasifika and worked with Tonga during the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Tiatia has also been joined in his backroom staff by Dale MacLeod who he knew in New Zealand.

MacLeod and former Wales flanker Dan Lydiate have helped shore up the Dragons defence.

They conceded 637 points in the URC last season – compared to 422 this, with two games to go.

“Filo has done a good job with the leadership group and the players have grown,” mentioned MacLeod.

“When I arrived, I learned a lot about how the boys interact and go about their business.

“A lot of them have been through the wringer in the past couple of years. They have learned from those situations.”

Despite Montpellier being firm favourites this weekend, MacLeod believes Dragons can achieve the biggest win in their 23-year history.

“There is no reason why we can’t go there and do it,” added MacLeod.

“We are under no illusions it’s going to take our best effort of the year. They are one of the best teams in Europe but I back the boys to go and give it a good crack.

“This is what a semi-final is about.

“People question whether we deserve to be there. We would say yes, other people might feel different.

“We’re going there with the right attitude, not to make up the numbers. We’re going there to win.”

Strong sentiments. We await to see the just in answer to the ‘Did the Dragons lose?’ account on Sunday afternoon.

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