Dragons have faced Castres twice on home soil in Europe – winning on both occasions. Ahead of Saturday’s showdown, we look back at those two victories ar Rodney Parade…
Dragons 31 Castres 18 – January 15, 2016
Dragons wrapped up a bonus-point when they last clashed with Castres in a pool fixture at Rodney Parade in the European Challenge Cup.
The home side showed their intent from the start as a Castres knock-on allowed Sarel Pretorius to start a counter-attack and Jason Tovey to work Hallam Amos clear.
Nic Cudd then smuggled his way over from a driving line-out maul and Lewis Evans crossed from close range. Jason Tovey converted all three touchdowns.
David Smith shot over in the final minute of the first half for a converted score that seemed to turn the tide in favour of the French.
Lock Christophe Samson charged in after 50 minutes after some slick handling and a Geoffrey Palis penalty had the home side rocking.
However, Castres were let down by their discipline as replacement lock Bias was red carded.
Eight minutes from time Dragons cracked the Castres defence once more, with a Taulupe Faletau charge producing the chance for Ashton Hewitt to grab the loose ball for the crucial fourth.
Dragons: Meyer; Hewitt, Hughes, Warren, Amos; Tovey, Pretorius; Price, Dee, Harris, Hill, Landman (capt), Evans, Cudd, Faletau
Replacements: T Rhys Thomas, Stankovich, Knight, Screech, Jackson, Davies, O'Brien, Scott
Dragons 28-17 Castres - Saturday, 21 January 2006
Dragons secured their first Heineken Cup win in 12 months - but nearly succumbed to Castres fightback.
Tries from Richard Fussell, Craig Warlow, Ceri Sweeney, Jamie Ringer and Ian Gough gave the Dragons a commanding 25-3 lead at Rodney Parade.
Dragons then relaxed and converted tries Yann Fior and Romain Teulet brought Castres to within eight points with four minutes remaining. But the home side managed to rally and Warlow's penalty made the game safe.
The bonus-point win ensured the Dragons leapfrogged Castres to finish third in Pool Three behind winner's Munster and runner's up Sale, who both qualify for the quarter-finals.
Dragons: Tuipulotu; Fussell, A. Thomas, Sweeney, Breeze; Warlow, Cooper; Black, S. Jones, R. Thomas, Gough, Sidoli, Ringer, Forster, Owen
Replacements: Maddocks for Black (71), Brown for S. Jones (44), Oakley for Owen (78), Robinson, Hall, Baber, Hinton.
Tickets remain on sale NOW for the European opener with Castres at Rodney Parade. Click HERE to buy your tickets and get ready for the return of European rugby.
