Dragons RFC could not outrun the storm as they narrowly fell short to an opening Challenge Cup victory against Montpellier who triumphed 18-14 in testing conditions. 

With concerns over whether Storm Darragh would cause disruption like it had done for many sporting fixtures around Wales this weekend, a healthy 4,012 crowd braved the elements at a cold, breezy and wet Rodney Parade. 

The visitors went into an early 18-point lead at the end of the first quarter as both Marco Tauleigne and Madosh Tambwe scored as they were joined by the boot of Aurelien Barreau who slotted eight points from the tee. After that, the hosts’ responded quickly through centurion Taine Basham crossing the whitewash and then prior to the break Angus O’Brien crossed over. 

Overall it was a poor game with many errors but a lot of them were down to the weather as the Top 14 side remained in front by 4 points all throughout the second half despite the hosts having a handful of chances. 

Dragons RFC: 14 

Tries: Taine Basham (25), Angus O’Brien (39) 

Conversions: (25,39) 

Penalties: None 

Montpellier Herault Rugby: 18 

Tries: Madosh Tambwe (12), Marco Tauleigne (20) 

Conversions: Aurelien Barreau (20) 

Penalties: Aurelien Barreau (2, 7) 

Here’s how the ‘Men of Gwent’ rated in their opening round fixture in the European Challenge Cup. 

1- Josh Reynolds: 4

Definitely struggled at times, which then proved to be costly in attack as they couldnt really use the scrum to build a platform. Carried well, but ultimately was miles off matching his opposite number when it came to the crunch.

2- James Benjamin: 4

Was solid at the lineout despite an otherthrow which can be argued made the hosts second try after fly-half Will Reed regathered the ball. He carried well and was great value in defence at times, but went off just two minutes into the second half. 

3- Chris Coleman: 4

Despite not expecting to start the 26-year-old replaced Moldovan international Dmitri Arhip as he dropped out of the starting XV due to illness. This resulted in Coleman playing the full 80 minutes. At times he and his counterparts in the front-row did match them on the odd occasion physically in the scrum, he was an asset in attack but didn’t really have much of a major impact.

4- Joe Davies: 5

Davies who made his first appearance last week against Cardiff, looked okay on his first start at Rodney Parade this season. Probably the only noticeable thing that he did was running a brilliant line in the making of Angus O’Brien’s try on 53 minutes.  

5- Matthew Screech: 6

Good around the breakdown on some occasions, was great in the maul area causing the visitors all sorts of problems by being a real menace by pressurising the visitors causing them into making mistakes. Carried well but could be an injury concern as when he was replaced he went straight down the tunnel. 

6- Ryan Woodman: 5

Good at the lineout, solid at pressurising around the breakdown when needed had a noticeable charge down kick with Dane Blacker. He didn’t really have much of an impact, carried well and was mainly used as the main lifter at the lineout. 

7: Taine Basham: 7

On his 100th game for the region, Basham probably would’ve wanted much better conditions to had played in. At scrum time he was playing in the eight position and was great value in the Dragons defence. He carried well and this was paid off when he scored on 25-miniutes after powering his way over. 

8- Aaron Wainwright: 5

Although having the number eight jersey on, Wainwright was playing on the openside maybe tactically who knows. I wanted to see a bit more from him but he carried well, great runs and was causing the visitors scrum-half Alexis Bernadet all sorts of problems around the breakdown area. Although those moments he did have, you definitely knew about them as the Rodney Parade faithful roared on.  

9- Morgan Lloyd: 5

Argubably the standout player for the Dragons last time out against Cardiff Rugby at the Arms Park last weekend. Lloyd made a well deserved start, starting very impressively as just like his half-back counter part who was very lively. However, there may be some concern as the 22-year-old limped off the pitch just before the break. Like a lot of the backline in this player ratings, Morgan had a really good showing albeit with the conditions being horrendous for a scrum-half. 

10- Will Reed: 6

After playing a few times for Newport RFC in Super Rygbi Cymru, it was great to see Will Reed back in a Dragons shirt and he played like he had a point to prove and gave his side a lot of encouragement when in attack as he was not afraid to take the ball into contact. There was at times some aimless kicking but overall he looked lively when he was on the pitch. 

11- Ewan Rosser: 5

Rosser who I won’t lie, I expected a bit longer of a cameo from him as he was replaced on 49-minutes by his brother Jared. He like many of the Dragon’s was smart when exploiting gaps in behind. Overall didn’t do anything that caught the eye but was just average when comparing him to other players. 

12: Aneurin Owen- 6

Like a lot of the players in the backline and with the conditions not being favourable for running rugby, the 24-year-old who made his pro debut in European competitions in the past had a really good showing. One of his highlights was his great vision in exploiting space in behind and putting on the visitors. He showed great handling skills when some passes from his inside man weren’t the best.  

13- Harry Wilson: 4

At times was poor in defence but in attack was great in cutting angles through Montpellier’s defence. Was great with his handling skills despite the terrible conditions but overall didn’t really make an impact on the game. 

14: Rio Dyer- 5

When he had the opportunity with ball in hand he looked decent and looked hungry to get involved. Sadly Dyer, one of the standout names in this Dragon side he just didn’t have the opportunity to make any big attacking threats. 

15- Angus O’Brien: 6

Although some patchy areas in his game, O’Brien was one of the standout players for the Dragons. The 30-year-old who is getting used to being captain was running all around the Rodney Parade turf and was certainly one of the play makers in the hosts attack. He moved to outside-half after Will Reed went off, and was controlling the game expertly from there as well with some brilliant decision making adding pressure onto the visitors who were vulnerable for large parts of the second-half.