Hooker Santiago Socino scored a hat-trick of tries as Gloucester Rugby concluded their EPCR Challenge Cup pool stage campaign with a battling victory over the Men of Gwent in an entertaining encounter at Rodney Parade.
With second place in Pool B already assured prior to kick off, Gloucester took the lead through Socino’s first try, but Dragons hit back through scores from Taine Basham and Jared Rosser.
A Louis Rees-Zammit effort for Gloucester on 36 minutes reduced the deficit to two points, but Harrison Keddie powered over in the final play of the first half for Dragons’ third try.
Gloucester made their pressure pay in the second half as Socino crossed for his second and third tries in quick succession either side of 65 minutes.
The scores proved decisive for Gloucester, who will now take on Northampton Saints at home in the Round of 16 while Dragons turn their attention to the United Rugby Championship.
