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Newport Gwent Dragons have one last shot for quarter-final qualification when they go to Bayonne in Round 5 - but London Wasps can virtually kill off those hopes if maintain their unbeaten group record at home to Rugby Mogliano. - 08/01/2013 16:31
Newport Gwent Dragons may be reeling from the loss of Wales back-row Dan Lydiate but will have hopes of securing their first win of a third Amlin Challenge Cup campaign.
Lydiate has confirmed he will leave at the end of the season and is unlikely to play in Europe again for the Dragons.
He is not expected to return from a serious ankle injury until March, by which time the Dragons could well already be out of the tournament.
Back-to-back wins over tournament newcomers Rugby Mogliano – starting at Stadio Maurizio Quaggia – would offer a glimmer of hope.
With Wales international Tom Prydie in fine form, the Dragons have had little trouble scoring points however their defence was found wanting against London Wasps and Bayonne.
Mogliano also suffered heavy defeats to the Pool's leading two but are slowly finding their feet after a 71-7 loss in their debut tie at Bayonne.
Match Facts
– Rugby Mogliano have lost their first two games in this competition, conceding 130 points in the process.
– Newport Gwent Dragons have lost their last three away games in the Amlin Challenge Cup, but their last success was on Italian soil (33-3 v I Cavalieri Prato in November 2011).
– Dragons have won their only two encounters against Italian sides in this competition, with an aggregate scoreline of 78-19.
– Alberto Lucchese has made more passes than any other player in this competition (170).
Pour sa dernière rencontre européenne de la saison
The Dragons’ long stay in Italy paid off as the Welsh side managed their first win in this season’s tournament with a bonus point success against Rugby Mogliano.
Darren Edwards’ men had stayed out in Italy for the week after their Pro12 defeat to Treviso last Saturday as they looked to put previous tournament losses to against London Wasps and Bayonne behind them against the pool’s other winless outfit.
The visitors scored four tries to record a comfortable win – with Wales Under 20s No8 Ieuan Jones crossing for a brace – despite being a man down for 50 minutes of this Round 3 contest.
The match was played in difficult conditions at the Stadio Maurizio Quaggia in northern Italy with volunteers clearing the pitch of snow before kick-off to allow the game to go ahead.
The Men of Gwent were 21-0 ahead at half time but were down to 14 men after blindside flanker Jevon Groves was red-carded for a dangerous tackle in the 30th minute against the part-timers.
Jones’ second score four minutes after the break ended any slim hopes Mogliano had of a comeback before Tom Prydie secured the bonus point with 10 minutes remaining.
The Italians have now conceded 20 tries in the pool and are still looking for their first victory as they prepare to face the Dragons in the second leg of this double header at Rodney Parade next week.
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