Dragons and Ospreys lose final pre-season games in England
- Published
Wales and Lions wing George North showed glimpses against Saracens of what Ospreys fans can look forward to this season
Ospreys were beaten 31-14 in their final pre-season game at Saracens despite starting new signings George North, Aled Davies and Scott Williams.
Sam Cross and replacement Scott Otten claimed the Welsh side's two tries.
Dragons also lost 40-31 to a Gloucester side that started with Danny Cipriani.
The England fly-half was in good form despite his recent arrest after an incident at a nightclub, having a hand in Gloucester's first two scores and having a try ruled out for a push.
At a hearing on Wednesday, the Rugby Football Union opted not to sanction Cipriani beyond the two fines of £2,000 already imposed on the 30-year-old by both Jersey magistrates and Gloucester.
For Dragons, hooker Richard Hibbard enjoyed a run-out against his former side, while Wales prop Leon Brown got a useful work-out after last season's injury-hit campaign.
Brown was out for three months having suffered concussion playing for Wales against New Zealand in November 2017.
The tight-head then suffered a ruptured ligament in his toe in March 2018 which forced him out of Wales' summer tour.
Wales prop Leon Brown made a welcome return for Dragons after injury
Although Bernard Jackman's side conceded 40 points at Kingsholm, Dragons finished the game strongly and did cross for five tries through Jordan Williams, Josh Lewis, Dafydd Howells, Tiaan Loots and Rhodri Williams.
However, Tavis Knoyle did limp off at the end and the scrum-half's fitness will be a concern ahead of their first Pro14 game against Benetton at Rodney Parade on 1 September.
In Thursday evening's earlier kick-off, Ospreys under new captain Justin Tipuric also found it heavy going away in England as they finished second best to Saracens at the Honourable Artillery Company ground in London.
But it was a useful work-out for Allen Clarke's side and the coach opted to change his whole starting XV at half-time with Ospreys trailing 21-7, possibly with one eye on their opening Pro14 game against Edinburgh in Swansea on 31 August.