Four-try Dragons beat Perpignan – but without bonus

Dragons turn a half-time deficit around to beat Perpignan in their Challenge Cup opener at Rodney Parade. Tries: Rosser, Owen, Tuitavuki, Paea Cons: De Beer 3 Pen: De Beer Dragons started their Challenge Cup campaign with a hard-fought win against Perpignan at Rodney Parade. Filo Tiatia's side, semi-finalists in 2025-26, ran in four tries in Newport to edge a scrappy opener, but did not claim a bonus point after this season's change in rules. Perpignan led 7-5 after a drab first half by responding to Jared Rosser's opener with a try from Jules Coulon. Dragons backs Aneurin Owen and Anzelo Tuitavuki scored either side of a powerful effort by Posolo Tuilagi to secure victory against their French opponents, with Fetuli Paea adding a flourish in the closing stages.

Five tries would have been needed for a bonus due to Perpignan, who are yet to win away from their Stade Aime Giral home this season, scoring twice. Dragons, with a number of influential players either injured or given a breather before a derby at Ospreys, failed to perform as well as they have at the start of the United Rugby Championship (URC). Nonetheless, they got the job done to put themselves in a strong position for the last 16 with a pair of fixtures to come in Wales. In December they