European Challenge Cup: Perpignan 22-16 Dragons

Dragons fly-half Sam Davies kicked 11 points against Perpignan

Struggling Dragons began their European Challenge Cup campaign with an away defeat at Perpignan.

Dragons had led 9-0 through three Sam Davies penalties but failed to capitalise on possession and territorial dominance when Perpignan were reduced to 13 men.

The visitors then lost scrum-half Tavis Knoyle and Adam Warren to the sin-bin.

Perpignan responded with a penalty try and further scores from Tom Ecochard and Baptiste Plana.

It proved a very long day for Dragons, who - because of the current Covid travel rules between the UK and France - had decided to travel in and out of Perpignan on a charter flight in one day.

It was a fifth successive defeat for Dean Ryan's side, who have only managed one win in eight games so far this season.

Dragons controlled an insipid first half through two Davies penalties with Wales back-row duo Taine Basham and Aaron Wainwright prominent.

The Welsh side might feel aggrieved Perpignan hooker Seilala Lam was only shown a yellow card for a dangerous high tackle on Elliot Dee.

This would have been compounded when the Welsh hooker was forced off the field because of the challenge and was replaced by converted flanker James Benjamin.

Perpignan were briefly down to 13 when wing Nino Seguela was sin-binned in the second half for a deliberate knock-on, but the French side demonstrated how to take chances.

Knoyle was shown a yellow card for pulling down a maul that led to a penalty try, before replacement scrum-half Ecochard also sprinted over for a try.

Ecochard converted the try as Warren was shown a yellow card for killing the ball before another replacement Plana finished off a flowing Perpignan move.

Replacement centre Jamie Roberts charged over for the Dragons' only try to bring his side a losing bonus point and set up a late chance of victory before Perpignan closed out the game.

Dragons next host another French side, Lyon, on Friday, 17 December.

This season a modified Challenge Cup format features 15 clubs competing in three pools over five pool stage rounds, meaning clubs will only play against opponents once from their own pool, and one club in each pool will have a bye during each round.

The three highest-ranked clubs from each pool, plus the highest-ranked fourth-placed club - as well as six clubs eliminated from the higher tier Heineken Champions Cup - will qualify for the knock-out stages.

Perpignan: Dubois; Pujol, Vaitulukina, Sawaileau, Seguela; Fernandez, Landajo; Berguet, Lam, Fakatika, Labouteley (capt), Cavubati, Ma'afu, Bertheau, Ugena.

Replacements: Montgaillard, Mavinga, Jincharadze, Mahu, Montagne, Ecochard, Rodor, Plana.

Dragons: Holmes; Dyer, Warren, Owen, Olowofela; S Davies, Knoyle; Seiuli, Dee, Doge, J Davies, Rowlands, Keddie (capt), Basham, Wainwright.

Replacements: Benjamin, Reynolds, Brown, Carter, Baker, Babos, J Lewis, Roberts.

Referee: Christophe Ridley (England).

Assistant referees: Ian Tempest (England); Andrew Jackson (England).

TMO: Rowan Kitt (England).

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