Filo Tiatia's Dragons secured a hard-fought 29-14 victory over Perpignan in their Challenge Cup opener at Rodney Parade. Despite running in four tries, the Welsh side missed out on a bonus point due to this season's rule changes, which would have required five tries given Perpignan's two scores.
Perpignan initially led 7-5 at half-time after Jules Coulon responded to Jared Rosser's opening try. Dragons backs Aneurin Owen and Anzelo Tuitavuki then scored, either side of a try from Posolo Tuilagi for Perpignan, to put the Dragons ahead. Fetuli Paea added a final flourish in the closing stages.
The win came at a cost, with loose-head props Rhodri and Wyn Jones leaving the field injured. This follows an injury to Argentina international Rodrigo Martinez a week prior. The Dragons are set to face the Cheetahs in December, followed by January fixtures against Bayonne and Ulster.