The Men of Gwent booked their place in the Challenge Cup last four with a 35-32 win in Parma
Harrison Keddie celebrates his try(Image: Luca Sighinolfi/Huw Evans Agency)
The Dragons reached the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup with a 35-32 win over Zebre in Parma.
After last week’s heroics against Stade Francais, it was another win on the road for the Men of Gwent to book their place in the last four.
Here’s how the players rated…
15. Angus O’Brien – 8
A calming presence in the backfield for the Dragons. Lovely range of kicking and kept the scoreboard ticking in a nervy quarter-final.
14. David Richards – 6
The yellow card for tackling Jacopo Trulla after he had kicked behind was double frustrating because it was Richards’ knock-on after claiming a high ball cleanly that handed Zebre possession.
Soon after, Trulla would be scoring while Richards was on the sidelines.
13. Fine Inisi – 7
Got back well to pick off what could have been a try-scoring pass in the opening minutes. Latched onto his midfield partner’s grubber nicely to get the first try.
The yellow card was just daft. Like Richards, had to watch his opposite number score in his absence. Played well once he returned, though.
12. Aneurin Owen – 6
Lovely grubber against the grain to create the Dragons’ first try. Evening was cut short after he clashed heads with lock Matteo Canali.
Got through a lot of work on both sides of the ball in his half-hour, though.
11. Rio Dyer – 7
His break in the first-half deserved a try.
Didn’t see a great deal of the ball, but when he did get it, he looked like he could do something – beating more defenders than anyone in the Dragons’ ranks.
10. Tinus de Beer – 8
A crash-ball fly-half, if there’s such a thing. Puts his body on the line where others wouldn’t.
9. Niall Armstrong – 8
Dragons are enduring a bit of a scrum-half injury crisis right now, but Armstrong just did things well on Saturday night. Decision-making was good – with a lovely 50:22 capping it late on.
1. Rodrigo Martinez – 7
Got through a number of tackles. Evening ended soon after the Dragons were driven off their own scrum feed.
2. Brodie Coghlan – 7
An early wobble at the lineout, but was abrasive on both sides of the ball.
3. Chris Coleman – 8
Scrum had some issues in the second-half.
But a 77-minute shift from a tighthead isn’t to be sniffed at and carried a hell of a lot..
4. Ryan Woodman – 8
Went through a mountain of work in his hour on the pitch – a very good performance from the
5. Ben Carter – 8
Been very good this season, having stepped up as a Wales starter. Always leads the Dragons well and led the tackle count in the forwards.
6. Harrison Keddie – 9
Just gets stuck into everything. Mammoth shift was capped with two tries.
7. Thomas Young – 8
A nuisance at the breakdown. Will rue that pass to no one following Dyer’s first-half break, but was very good otherwise.
8. Aaron Wainwright – 8
No trade secrets here. He’s very, very good. Powerful carrier, brilliant link player and just genuinely top, top quality.
Usually up the top of the charts in most metrics.
Replacements:
16. Elliot Dee – 8
Brought on for the final half-hour. Such a consistent player. Nails his lineouts almost without fail. Steered the maul well for his try.
17. Wyn Jones – 7
Last week’s hero provided a big carry in the build-up to Keddie’s second. Had a tough time fixing the Dragons’ second-half scrum woes though.
18. Owain James – N/A
Little time to make an impact.
19. Seb Davies – 7
On for the final 20 minutes. Solid enough.
20. Shane Lewis-Hughes – 6
Came on for the final 10 to help see out the victory.
21. Morgan Lloyd – 6
Brought on in the dying minutes.
22. Fetuli Paea – 8
Some big carries, including a break to lay the foundations for Keddie’s second.
Only Wainwright made more carries on the pitch.
23. Huw Anderson – 6
On for the final seven minutes.
Follow all of our channels to ensure you stay up to date with the latest Welsh rugby news. Sign up to our free daily newsletter here and our WhatsApp channel here for all the breaking news.