Challenge Cup: Sharks top Pool as Dragons bow out

1. Sharks progress to last 16 as Pool winners while Dragons are eliminated
2. Hendrikse, Nche, Grobler, Roets and Kok score for Sharks
3. Jared Rosser's sensational solo try disallowed
4. Ospreys clinched home tie with comeback win at Lions
5. But North forced off with shoulder injury

Goodbye from us

It has been a mixed day for the Welsh regions in the Challenge Cup.

Ospreys produced a brilliant comeback to defeat Lions 38-28 in South Africa to set up a home match against Sale in the last 16 on the weekend of April 6.

That was decided by Bayonne beating Exeter 40-17 this evening.

Ospreys will be the only Welsh side in action in the European knockout stages as Dragons followed Scarlets and Cardiff out of their respective competitions.

While the Welsh regions will have a four-week break, all attention will now turn to the Six Nations.

Thank you for joining us and have a lovely evening.

Elsewhere

Not a great night for Exeter's Welsh contingent in France.

Wales captain Dafydd Jenkins was shown a yellow card for a high tackle in the second half, while Joe Hawkins saw red for a head-on-head challange.

It has finished Bayonne 40-17 Exeter Chiefs.

Full-time - Dragons 9-29 Sharks

Sharks scored five tries in the end and proved too powerful for their Welsh hosts as Dragons suffer European elimination in the group stages.

Dai Flanagan's side only managed three penalties through Cai Evans and a disallowed Jared Rosser try in the first half was the closest they came to crossing the Sharks' line. Dragons can have no complaints.

Huw Evans Picture Agency

Try - Dragons 9-29 Sharks

The Dragons have capitulated in the closing stages by conceding three late tries.

The final one was scored by wing Werner Kok capitalising on Dragons' mistakes.

Grobler recognised

Sharks lock Gerbrandt Grobler is named player-of-the-match. He has scored one of the four tries and epitomised the difference in the power between the two sides.

Converted try - Dragons 9-24 Sharks

That is it. A bonus point try the Sharks through replacement lock Le Roux Roets.

The Dragons will not be in the last 16 of the Challenge Cup.

Sin-bin

You sense the Dragons' European dream is over for another year as the Sharks are powering to victory.

The Sharks pack has just destroyed the Dragons scrum and home replacement prop has been shown a yellow card.

Meanwhile in France...

Wales captain Dafydd Jenkins has been sin-binned in Bayonne for a high tackle – he will be back for the last few minutes of Exeter’s game.

His side now trail 40-17.

Try - Dragons 9-17 Sharks

That could be the killer blow.

A third try for Sharks through lock Gerbrandt Grobler from a powerful drive and they are leading by eight points with eight minutes remaining.

Huw Evans Picture Agency

'On a knife edge'

Ian Gough

Former Wales international on BBC Radio Wales

This game is on a bit of knife edge at the moment, it could go either way.

Dragons seem to be breathing a bit more life, they're getting a bit more territory and getting in the areas and the Sharks are back to making a few mistakes.

A daft penalty was conceded by South Africa wing Makazole Mapimpi after he was caught offside chasing a kick. This from a man who was part of the Springboks' 2019 World Cup winning side.

It gives the Dragons a rare attacking platform but the throw into the line-out was not straight from replacement hooker James Benjamin. A chance lost as Sharks then win another scrum penalty.

Back at Rodney Parade, it has become scrappy in awful conditions as we reach the final quarter.

Dragons will be hoping they can get the win they need for Challenge Cup last-16 qualification.

Huw Evans Picture Agency

Elsewhere

Exeter are pulling things back at Bayonne where the hosts now lead 26-17 in the Champions Cup.

With Bayonne dropping down to the Challenge Cup, the seedings could yet change.

Ospreys... you're still waiting to see if it is Sale in the next round.

A reminder of the scenarios

• Dragons win + bonus point = second in pool, 6th seeds overall, home last 16 tie

• Dragons win = third in pool, 8th seeds overall, home last 16 tie

• Dragons draw + bonus point = fourth in pool, 16th seeds, away last 16 tie

• Dragons lose = they are eliminated

Penalty - Dragons 9-12 Sharks

This has been the first period of pressure the Dragons have launched in the second half.

They have opted for the pragmatic option with full-back Cai Evans slotting over his third penalty. Dragons within three points now.

If this stays like this, the Dragons will still be thinking about whether Jared Rosser grounded the ball in the first half and whether the match officials wrongly disallowed the try for the hosts.

They will be hoping they do not have to reflect on what might have been.

Dragons teenage centre Harri Ackerman is putting himself about and just completed a huge hit.

He will hope that galvanises his side.

Replacement

Dragons scrum-half Dane Blacker is withdrawn and replaced by the experienced Rhodri Williams. Can he provide the spark needed?

Scrum superiority

The Sharks are starting to flex their muscles at the scrum and have gained an important penalty after another Dragons knock-on.

Power might tell in the end.

The Sharks have selected a strong side for the week trip to Wales.

Dragons will have their work cut out here in the second half despite having the wind advantage.

Huw Evans Picture Agency