We look back in the archives to the 20014/15 season when Dragons beat Edinburgh to avenge their European Challenge Cup semi-final loss and dent the Scots' Champions Cup hopes.…
Dragons 19 Edinburgh 5, May 8th, 2015
The Men of Gwent battled against the wind and rain at Rodney Parade this evening but took the spoils through the boot of Jason Tovey along with a try from replacement hooker Hugh Gustafson.
A last minute change to the front row meant that prop Boris Stankovich returned from injury to tackle the hard hitting Edinburgh side, whilst Phil Price moved onto the bench.
Dragons edged a scrappy first half as two Jason Tovey penalties and one from Tom Prydie put them 9-0 in front.
Hugh Gustafson's try extended the hosts' lead, rendering Stuart McInally's score a consolation.
Dragons were already out of Champions Cup contention but, having been thrashed 45-16 by Edinburgh in the Challenge Cup semi-finals three weeks earlier, the Gwent region had earmarked this rematch as an opportunity to gain revenge.
They appeared to be fuelled by a motivation to exorcise that Murrayfield mauling as they made a strident start at Rodney Parade.
Utilising their strong rolling maul and powerful ball-carriers, Dragons pounded Edinburgh's try line but were thwarted by the visitors' robust tackling.
The hosts' pressure did at least produce some points, with two Tovey penalties putting them 6-0 ahead.
Edinburgh were unable to assert themselves in a disjointed first half, as Dragons defended tenaciously and went into the interval 9-0 up thanks to a Prydie penalty.
The home side continued to dominate after the restart, again using their potent rolling maul which this time produced a try.
Edinburgh prop Willem Nel was sin-binned for trying to bring one Dragons maul down illegally and, when the hosts' set-piece clicked into gear from the next line-out, replacement hooker Gustafson was on hand to dive over.
Faced with a daunting 16-0 deficit, Edinburgh poured forward to keep alive their fading Champions Cup hopes and they did manage a late try as captain McInally plunged over in the corner.
But Tovey struck his third penalty to replenish Dragons' advantage, sealing a well-earned victory to ease the painful memories of April's Challenge Cup capitulation.
Full Time: Dragons 19 - Edinburgh 5
Dragons Team: Tom Prydie, Ashton Hewitt, Tyler Morgan, Jack Dixon, Hallam Amos, Jason Tovey, Luc Jones; Boris Stankovich, T. Rhys Thomas ©, Brok Harris, Cory Hill, Rynard Landman, Nick Crosswell, Nic Cudd, Taulupe Faletau.
Edinburgh Team: Jack Cuthbert, Dougie Fife, Sam Beard, Andries Strauss, Tim Visser, Phil Burleigh, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne; Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford, WP Nel, Fraser McKenzie, Ben Toolis, Stuart McInally ©, Hamish Watson, Cornell Du Preez.
Referee: Gary Conway (Ireland)
Man of the Match: Nic Cudd
Attendance: 5608
