Controversial call frustrates Dragons in Leinster loss

Filo Tiatia joined Dragons as defence coach in 2024 before becoming head coach

Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia was frustrated by a controversial decision that denied his side the chance to claim an unlikely United Rugby Championship (URC) draw with Leinster.

The champions earned a 24-10 bonus-point win at Rodney Parade on Friday night thanks to RG Snyman's 78th-minute try after earlier scores by Alex Soroka and Joshua Kenny's brace.

However, it was a seven-point game in the 75th minute when Scott Penny, who was yellow-carded in the first half, hit Levi Douglas with a high shot as the Dragons lock charged at the line.

South African referee Morne Ferreira reviewed the footage and deemed the Leinster flanker was in a legal position and head contact with the falling Douglas was not because of foul play.

It was a decision that surprised pundits, enraged Dragons supporters and frustrated Tiatia, whose side have not won since the first game of last season.

"I thought it was a yellow card, a second one (for Penny) and it should have been red," Tiatia said.

"I saw it differently to Morne, who I thought had a good game. There were seven points difference at the time and then the big fella (Snyman) took his chance down the right and it became 14.

"I was disappointed for the players because Leinster had dominance at scrum, but they fought hard to get back into the game and held them up numerous times over the line.

"I felt for them. We held Leinster at bay, fought hard to stay in it and we had opportunities to score points that didn't quite happen."

Dragons drew with Sharks and Ospreys in Newport in the first block of the URC and their resilience earned a chance to push for a share of the spoils with the champions, who have now won the last 15 meetings between the sides.

"I said in the huddle that I was proud of the performance because we had a lot of young guys that came on and got exposure at this level," said Tiatia, who was without five Wales internationals because of Saturday's Test with South Africa.

Dragons will assess injuries to lock Seb Davies, blind-side flanker Ryan Woodman and hooker Oli Burrows after they limped off.

They will watch Wales' game against the Springboks with interest to see if hooker Brodie Coghlan, lock Ben Carter, wing Rio Dyer and tight-head prop Chris Coleman come through unscathed.

Number eight Aaron Wainwright starts at Principality Stadium but will be rested for Sunday's European Challenge Cup opener at Perpignan (13:00 GMT).