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European Challenge Cup
Dragons (6) 23
Tries: Keddie 2, Burrows Cons: O’Brien Pens: O’Brien 2
Lyon (7) 21
Tries: Roux, Mathiron, Maalo Cons: Cassang 2, Gonzalez
Dragons won for the first time in 2025 after a remarkable comeback to beat Lyon 23-21 in the European Challenge Cup.
The Rodney Parade club were staring down the barrel of a 21st straight defeat when trailing 21-6 with quarter of an hour to go.
However, a double by flanker Harri Keddie either side of an effort by hooker Oli Burrows allowed Angus O’Brien to slot the match-winning conversion in the 80th minute.
It means Dragons, who are missing several influential figures due to injury, keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the last 16.
The victory also ensured their winless streak, which went back to victory in Newcastle last December, will not stretch beyond a year.
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Home discomforts
Dragons had to settle for draws in Newport against both Sharks and Ospreys in the first block of the United Rugby Championship (URC) after failing to take late opportunities.
That meant their winless streak at Rodney Parade went back to the opening weekend of 2024-25 when they pipped the Ospreys at the death – 449 days ago and a run of 13 fixtures.
Head coach Filo Tiatia had enjoyed just one success since taking over from Dai Flanagan – a victory at Newcastle in the Challenge Cup on 15 December last year.
They headed into this fixture on a 20-game winless run in all competitions but the late fightback provides a platform to provide more cheer for their long-suffering supporters.
Dragons’ late charge
Lyon led 7-6 at the break thanks to lock Janse Roux scoring the only try of an awful first half with a powerful finish from a quick tap in the 32nd minute.
O’Brien kicked a pair of penalties and missed another for Dragons, who conceded when down to 14 men while Jared Rosser was in the sin bin.
The wing, who had earlier sparked a scuffle to liven up the subdued atmosphere by putting his forearm on the neck of Lyon centre Alfred Parisien, dangerously lifted Beka Shvangiradze at a ruck and dropped him on his shoulder and neck.
Referee Filippo Russo opted for yellow rather than a 20-minute red card because Shane Lewis-Hughes was also initially involved in the clearout.
A moment of quality at odds with what had come before saw Lyon stretch their lead to 14-6 in the 44th minute when wing Arthur Mathiron chipped over the top and gathered for a try that Cassang converted from wide on the left.
Home frustration with the officiating grew when fly-half Tinus De Beer was yellow-carded for killing the ball on the line, which was quickly followed by replacement prop Ave Maalo hammering his way over for a third try and a 21-6 lead.
Dragons responded with a Keddie try with quarter of an hour to go from a driving lineout.
Centre Aneurin Owen was held up over the line on 72 minutes when playing with penalty advantage – leading to a yellow card to Josiah Maraku – and Burrows drove over from another lineout.
Dragons were five points back and went on the hunt for a winner in the 78th minute when they worked replacement wing Ewan Rosser into space down the left and he was denied by a high tackle.
The hosts kicked for the corner and Keddie spotted a gap to allow O’Brien to complete the job.
What next?
Dragons host Connacht in the United Rugby Championship on Friday (19:45 GMT) before a Boxing Day trip to Cardiff and New Year’s Day fixture against Scarlets in Newport (both 15:00 GMT).
They finish the Challenge Cup group stages by facing Benetton away and then entertaining Newcastle.
Lyon aim to climb the Top 14 with fixtures against Toulouse, Castres and Pau before Challenge Cup games at Lions and then Benetton in France.
How they lined up
Dragons: O’Brien (capt); J Rosser, Richards, Owen, Anderson; De Beer, Armstrong; Kelleher-Griffiths, Burrows, Hunt, Douglas, Screech, Lewis-Hughes, Young, Wainwright.
Replacements: Austin, J Morris, James, Woodman, Keddie, Hope, Westwood, E Rosser.
Yellow cards: J Rosser, De Beer.
Lyon: Dumortier; Diabou, Parisien, Balewairiki, Mathiron; Tchaptchet, Cassang; Rey, Sarragallet, Gomes Sa, Lambey (capt), Roux, Okuya, Shvangiradze, Gouzou.
Replacements: Marceline, Kaabeche, Maalo, Sanson, Botha, Baret, Gonzalez, Maraku.
Yellow cards: Maraku
Referee: Fillippo Russo (Italy)
Assistants: Lorenzo Pedezzi (Italy) & Riccardo Bonato (Italy)
TMO: Stefano Penne (Italy)
