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Dragons' Jordan Williams bursts through a Bristol Bears tackle in the EPCR Challenge Cup
Dragons will be aiming to add to USAP’s troubling recent home record in the EPCR Challenge Cup on Saturday, when they travel to Stade Aimé Giral in France.
The TOP 14 club lost each of their three home games during their last campaign in the competition, in 2018/19 – having previously won 13 of their previous 15 pool stage games on their own turf.
The Pool B encounter kicks off at 17:30 UK time and can be watched on S4C.
Other key facts:
- USAP and the Dragons have met twice previously in the Challenge Cup, each side claiming a home win during their pool stage encounters in 2011/12.
- USAP have hosted the Dragons three times in European competition overall, twice in the Heineken Champions Cup (2004/05, 2007/08) and once in the Challenge Cup (2011/12), and won all three matches.
- The Dragons were one of just two sides to record a 100% lineout success rate in the Challenge Cup last season, along with Harlequins, winning each of their 10 throws.
- Jordan Williams gained 162 metres during the Dragons’ Round of 16 game against Northampton Saints in last season’s Challenge Cup – second only to Tom Arscott, who achieved 174 for Newcastle Falcons v Castres Olympique.
🗣️ “Europe is always important to us… we face the likes of Perpignan, Lyon and Gloucester and they offer us different challenges, especially the French sides…”
Ryan wants @ChallengeCup_ bid to reinvigorate his 🐉
▶️ https://t.co/ysgWm7ZGnw#BringYourFire🔥 pic.twitter.com/hyrbpzK0ko
— Dragons (@dragonsrugby) December 9, 2021
Key quote:
Dean Ryan (Dragons director of rugby): “I think going into another competition could breathe a little bit of fresh air into us, but I don’t think we can hide away from it – with the current resources we’ve got, we are struggling to cope in this level of game.
USAP scrum-half Tom Ecochard
Tom Ecochard inspired USAP to come from behind and beat Dragons 22-16 at the Stade Aime Giral in Pool B of the EPCR Challenge Cup.
The TOP 14 club lost each of their three home games during their last campaign in the competition, in 2018/19 – having previously won 13 of their previous 15 pool stage games on their own turf.
And after having two men sent to the sin bin in the first half, when Dragons moved to a nine-point lead thanks to three Sam Davies penalties, another defeat looked to be imminent.
Those hands 😍
An incredible move by @usap_officiel as Baptiste Plana goes through to score for the hosts 🪄#ChallengeCupRugby pic.twitter.com/7aV2SZHyrq
— EPCR Challenge Cup (@ChallengeCup_) December 11, 2021
But the second half was a different matter, with Dragons losing Tavis Knoyle and Adam Warren to yellow cards as well. The hosts capitalised on the extra space, beginning with a 54th-minute penalty try.
After that, Ecochard scored a try, a conversion, and a penalty within the space of five minutes, with Baptiste Plana also crossing the line.
A try from Jamie Roberts, converted by Davies, gave Dragons some late hope and made the last few minutes nailbiting, with both teams back up to a full complement of 15 men, but USAP held on.
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