Dragons suffer record Euro loss in Lions mauling

Dragons have lost three of four pool matches in Europe this season

European Challenge Cup: Pool 2

Lions (31) 60

Tries: Horn 2, Francis, Venter 2, Mafura, Lombard, Visagie, Rass Cons: Francis 4 Lombard 2 Pen: Francis

Dragons (3) 10

Try: Latu Con: Reed Pen: Reed

Dragons crashed to their biggest losing margin in Europe in a mauling at the hands of Lions in Johannesburg.

Their South African hosts crossed for nine tries in a desperately one-sided European Challenge Cup tie.

Dragons were already trailing 36-3 when replacement prop Paula Latu crossed in the second half as the visitors' bench made an impact of sorts.

But they were no match for the hosts as Francke Horn (two), Sam Francis, Ruan Venter (two), Tapiwa Mafura, Jaco Visagie, Gianni Lombard and Manuel Rass all scored.

The 50-point difference was the biggest losing margin for Dragons in Europe, surpassing the 43-point gap against Clermont-Auvergne in January 2019.

Wales hooker Elliot Dee at least came through the latest game of his return from a long-term ankle injury.

He played 40 minutes though was caught three times for not throwing straight, even if they were all marginal calls.

Brodie Coughlan replaced him and other substitutes such as 22-year-old scrum-half Morgan Lloyd, Latu and Harri Ackerman offered glimmers.

But Dragons just could not match Lions back-row trio JC Pretorius, Venter and Horn who scored four tries between them and did most of the damage.

Wainwright Wales worry

Part of the reason for that one-sided battle was the loss of Dragons number eight Aaron Wainwright.

He travelled to Johannesburg a day after being named by Warren Gatland in his Wales squad, but was ruled out of the match with a leg injury.

It will, however, be a fresh worry for Wales coach Warren Gatland with Taulupe Faletau's fitness also a concern in the build up to their Six Nations opener against France on 31 January.

This may have been the last match of their pool campaign, but was already a knockout match with the winner claiming the last qualifying sport from Pool 2.

Dragons' defeat last week to Pau ensured Ospreys progressed, but the Rodney Parade region never looked like joining them.

The visitors' set-piece struggled throughout which meant the likes of Rio Dyer were largely spectators in as Lions ran riot.

Dragons wing Rio Dyer said: "We have to hold ourselves accountable for this result.

"The one positive was how we stuck together. We've been down in the dumps a bit but if we keep beating ourselves up then it will never change.

"If we hold our hands up, be accountable and try to better ourselves, that's what shows character and that's all we can ask."

Lions: Quan Horn; Tapiwa Mafura, Henco van Wyk, Rynhardt Jonker, Edwill van der Merwel; Sam Francis, Morne van den Berg; Juan Schoeman, PJ Botha, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Etienne Oosthuizen, Darrien Landsberg, JC Pretorius, Ruan Venter, Francke Horn (capt).

Replacements: Jaco Visagie, SJ Kotze, RF Schoeman, Ruan Delport, Jarod Cairns, Nico Steyn, Gianni Lombard, Manuel Rass

Dragons: Huw Anderson; Rio Dyer, Joe Westwood, Aneurin Owen (capt), Ewan Rosser; Will Reed, Che Hope; Rodrigo Martinez, Elliot Dee, Chris Coleman, Joe Davies, George Nott, Ryan Woodman, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Taine Basham

Replacements: Brodie Coghlan, Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths, Paula Latu, Barny Langton-Cryer, George Young, Morgan Lloyd, Lloyd Evans, Harri Ackerman.

Referee: Evan Urruzmendi (FFR)

Assistant referees: Ludovic Cayre & Vincent Blasco Baque (FFR)

TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)