Can the Dragons’ fairytale European run continue following the celebration of a famous triumph?

Thursday, 09 April 2026 at 15:54

byHarry Tovey

Following a memorable victory against Stade Français in Paris, Dragons RFC are in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

But it wasn’t too long ago that those famous victories were a distant memory. In fact, for the Men of Gwent, after brutal defeats against Perpignan and Benetton in the Group stages, the possibility of reaching a major semi-final would have felt like a long shot.

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However, there has seemingly been somewhat of a resurgence for the Rodney Parade club, who on Saturday evening will face Zebre Parma at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi for a spot in the last four of the Challenge Cup.

Speaking ahead of the contest, hooker Brodie Coghlan on the possibility of his side reaching a semi-final against Montpellier or Connacht, said: “It would mean everything.

“This group is so passionate. It’s why I love it here.

“We haven’t always had the results we want, but everyone loves each other and plays for each other.

“I think the boys would deserve it, the amount of work everyone’s put in as a group with all the players, coaches and staff.

“The changing rooms were bouncing, constant smiles on faces (following beating Stade Français).”

“I personally had my dad and cousin come out with a few of his mates. I could see all my friends, all the boys’ families, and the crowd afterwards.

“When we went over to them, they were absolutely bouncing. It made it even more special because it shows how much it means to everyone.

“Playing for Dragons means everything to me because this was the side I grew up watching,” added Coghlan.

Zebre, who are the basement dwellers of the United Rugby Championship (URC), stand in the way of the Dragons reaching a first European semi-final since 2016.

While painting over their position in the URC table, it’s been some turnaround for Filo Tiatia’s side, and with them being the sole representatives of the Welsh regions in the competition, that speaks volumes.

How times have changed for a side that had many naysayers calling for them to be the region to be axed. The Dragons have turned a corner.

It’s a moment, which for many players and supporters who looked broken, despondent and frustrated after several defeats, have now got a real sense of togetherness and optimism.

When was the last time that happened for the Gwent side, who in past season's turned up to contests like a journeyman boxer, deep down knowing what the outcome would be when they came out of the tunnel.

Defeat, after defeat, with the odd strong showing and triumph mixed in with a lot of gloom for the region.

But the characteristics of the hard-fought 36-31 win in the French capital painted a different picture for a Dragons side, now flag bearers for Welsh rugby.

Things are looking up.

It started when Tiatia was elevated from defence coach to head coach in November 2024, following Dai Flanagan’s exit from the club.

There were signs of encouragement, but not the kind that would get supporters excited. However, in the 2025/26 season, something has changed.

The arrival of defence coach Dale MacLeod has been incredibly beneficial, perhaps even the catalyst for brightening up the region.

Tiatia admitted to the Dragons being a different team from when he first started at the club, adding: “From where we started, to where we are now, we’re a different team.

“We’re trying to work on the things that are important for us as a group, but also the people of Gwent, who we represent.

“Getting to a performance that they’re proud of and they will latch onto.

“People that don’t know anything around Gwent or the game itself, they can get fascinated about these guys scrap for each other.

“That’s what people get attracted to: teams that stay in it. That’s what we’re trying to do. Something simple, but it’s meaningful for this group.”

“I was proud of the performance last weekend,” said Tiatia on the famous victory on Easter Sunday.

“Now we have an opportunity to impose ourselves again. We have another chance.

“I was happy that we stayed in the fight, all the things we’ve been working on around mentality, how we stay calm, how we impose our game.

“We let them back in, particularly in the first half, and gave them opportunities with a lack of discipline.”

Tiatia and MacLeod have worked together in the past and have changed the club's culture. In the past, a few marquee signings improved the mood around the club, but not the results. This time around, that seems to be different.

A change of mood, a change of results. The balance has been a welcome boost.

At scrum and line-out time in Paris, they were strong and from the outside looking in seem to be priding themselves on defence. Attack, which isn’t the finished article yet, against Stade worked well.

“When you have momentum, you’re disciplined,” continued Tiatia.

“When you don’t have momentum, it’s ill-discipline. It kills you.

“But the boys worked hard, particularly in the last 25 minutes, to stay in it. We get a score, and then Wyn (Jones) puts us in the right position and dives over.

“I’m happy with how they’re growing and how we’re learning. We’re still learning, but we’re being consistent around what we’re trying to do.”

Metres from the whitewash, the calmness and patience of the Dragons’ attack should also be applauded. So many players stood out in a game which ebbed and flowed.

But it goes down to the business off the field, which has helped improve performances. Some of the business in signing players hasn’t been great in seasons gone by, but the crop of players brought in this season has definitely added value to the Dragons’ side.

One of those standout signings is Tinus De Beer, who moved East across the M4 corridor to Newport from Cardiff. The South African outside-half has added great intensity and strength in the backline.

It doesn’t end there. The signing of Welsh-qualified second-row Levi Douglas has been a great addition for the club, whose sheer strength and size more often than not gets his side over the gain-line.

Pairing him with Ben Carter, who had a standout Six Nations showing for Wales, that makes for a formidable force in the second row moving forward. Both are great assets for the Dragons. Also, the signings of Harry Beddall, Rob Hunt, Thomas Young, Fine Inisi, and Fetuli Paea have been just as good.

All roads lead to Parma on Saturday for what is a monumental encounter in the tenure of Tiatia’s reign, as the Dragons need to show real grit and determination to continue this fairytale run in the continental competitions.

The clash in Northern Italy on Saturday evening sees the bottom two sides in the URC go head-to-head, but a win for the Dragons would be the perfect tonic for a drop of positivity in Welsh rugby.