Challenge Cup record

Dragons reached their first Challenge Cup semi-final in 2007 in their first season in the competition, losing 46-29 at ASM Clermont Auvergne. They then made back-to-back semi-finals in 2015 and 2016, but again went down, first to Edinburgh Rugby (45-16) and then to Montpellier Hérault Rugby (22-12).

Last season

Dragons fell to a 24-8 home defeat against Wasps in the opening round of the Heineken Champions Cup and then crashed 47-8 at Union Bordeaux-Bègles in Round 2, so dropped into the Challenge Cup. There a late collapse at home to Northampton Saints saw them exit in the Round of 16 via a 43-39 defeat, despite running in five tries and leading by 19 points at one stage.

Director of rugby

Former England international Dean Ryan took over as Dragons’ director of rugby in the summer of 2019, having held the same role at Worcester Warriors between 2013 and 2016. Ryan has also been in charge at Bristol Bears and Gloucester Rugby, and had a stint as Scotland’s forwards coach. During his playing career, he turned out for Saracens, Wasps, Newcastle Falcons and Bristol.

Key players

Veteran centre Jamie Roberts – a former British and Irish Lion - has racked up 61 European appearances across an illustrious career, scoring 12 tries. Back-row forward Ross Moriarty is another former Lion, while locks Will Rowlands and Ben Carter have recently worked their way into the Wales set-up. Scrum-half Rhodri Williams is another influential figure; he has notched seven tries in 31 European games.

Pool fixtures

Dragons’ opening game in Pool B sees them travel to USAP on December 11, before they host Lyon in Round 2 on December 17. They are at Benetton Rugby in Round 3 on January 15 and conclude their pool stage with a home fixture against Gloucester Rugby.

We continue our previews of this season’s EPCR Challenge Cup teams with a review of three-time semi-finalists and United Rugby Championship outfit Dragons.