Undefeated Dragons are back in European Challenge Cup action with an away clash against Gallagher English Premiership Worcester Warriors at Sixways Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 3pm UK time).
Ahead of the game, we take a closer look at all the stats and information you need to know:
Pool 1: Worcester Warriors vs Dragons
Referee: Marius Mitea (Ita), Assistant Ref: Gianluca Gnecchi (Ita) & Emanuele Tomo (Ita), Citing Commissioner: Dana Teagarden (Ger)
Match facts:
- Worcester and the Dragons have met twice before in the Challenge Cup. Those matches were in the 2016/17 pool stages, with the home side on the day winning both times.
- Worcester are unbeaten in their last eight pool stage home fixtures (W7, D!). They have only hosted Welsh opponents twice, beating the Dragons in 2016 and the Ospreys in 2018.
- The Dragons have won twice in 17 away games against English Premiership opposition in European competition (L15m including Heineken Champions Cup).
- Worcester are the top metre makers (980) after two rounds, while the Dragons rank fourth (908). The Dragons’ Dafydd Howells (159) has made the most metres of any player, with team-mate Jordan Williams ranked third (155).
Tournament Record:
- Worcester: P84 – W48, D2, L34, Win Rate: 57%
- Dragons: P62 - W35, D0, L27. Win Rate: 56%
Round 3 Notes:
- The Dragons, who travel to Worcester Warriors, and Bristol Bears, who are at home against Stade Francais Paris, are the only clubs with a maximum 10 points going into Round 3.
- Bordeaux-Bègles fly half, Mathieu Jalibert, is the leading scorer after two rounds with 31 points.
- Jack Willis of Wasps tops the turnover statistics with an impressive eight after two rounds.
- RC Toulon’s late win against Scarlets in Round 2 was their 50th match in the tournament.
- The Dragons’ Jordan Williams made 155 metres in the Round 2 win against Enisei-STM in Krasnodar.
- Edinburgh Rugby’s Pool 3 fixture at BT Murrayfield on Friday night will be their first against Wasps in the Challenge Cup.
- Pau No 8, Baptiste Pesenti, has made the most carries with 30 from his two appearances this season.
- The Castres Olympique wing, Filipo Nakosi, tops the defenders beaten statistics with 13 going into the back-to-back fixtures.
- London Irish, beaten finalists in 2006, will play Toulon, beaten finalists in 2010 and 2012, for the first time in the Challenge Cup on Saturday at Stade Mayol.
Dragons are next in home action on Friday, December 13 when we welcome Worcester Warriors to Rodney Parade in the European Challenge Cup. Tickets are on sale NOW - click HERE to buy and take advantage of Early Bird rates.
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