Rosser reaches 37 tries as Dragons beat Perpignan 29–14

Jared Rosser moved joint second on Dragons’ all-time try-scoring list as the Welsh region beat Perpignan 29–14 in the EPCR Challenge Cup opener at Rodney Parade on Friday. Rosser’s fifth-minute try took him to 37 for the club, level with Ashton Hewitt and six behind Aled Brew. The home side finished with four tries to Perpignan’s two, overturning a 7–5 half-time deficit.

Second-half response

Aneurin Owen, Anzelo Tuitavuki and Fetuli Paea crossed after the interval, while Tinus de Beer kicked three conversions and a penalty. Perpignan’s points came from tries by Jules Coulon and Posolo Tuilagi, both converted by Tristan Tedder. Owen’s try and De Beer’s conversion put Dragons 12–7 ahead after 56 minutes. Tuilagi’s reply briefly restored the visitors’ lead at 14–12, before De Beer’s penalty made it 15–14 in the 65th minute. Tuitavuki then scored after 68 minutes and Paea added the fourth try in the 77th. Both were converted, taking Dragons clear in a match the home side had trailed at the break.

Dyer’s hundredth appearance

Rio Dyer led Dragons out on his 100th appearance for his home club. The wing was involved in the opening attack and the late move that ended with Paea scoring. The club named Owen player of the match. Head coach Filo Tiatia had made seven changes from the side beaten by Ospreys, with Rosser, Fine Inisi and Jac Lloyd returning in the backs. The confirmed teams and scoring comparison below come from Dragons’ official match report. The attendance was 4,636. The full-time score and half-time score also agree with EPCR’s competition record.