Dragons' European hopes hanging by a thread as Pau prove too strong

The Dragons' hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the Challenge Cup are hanging by a threat after they were comfortably beaten 24-15 by Pau at Rodney Parade.

Filo Tiatia's side will face the Lions at high altitude in Johannesburg next Saturday, with the winners progressing into the round of 16 in the spring. The Dragons showed plenty of fight, with backrower Taine Basham, centres Harri Ackerman and Joe Westwood along with Aaron Wainwright impressing, but the Welsh club got overpowered by the heavier Pau pack.

Tries from Clément Mondinat and Dan Jooste, along with 14 points from the boot of Axel Desperes, got the French outfit over the line. All the Dragons could muster were tries from Wainwright and Rio Dyer, while Lloyd Evans kicked five points

The Dragons started with plenty of intent and Pau were soon down to 14 men when No 8 Thibaut Hamanou got sent to the sin bin for a high shot on Cai Evans. But it was Pau who opened the scoring through the boot of Desperes.

The Dragons burst back into life with an explosive 40-metre carry from Wales hopeful Basham who charged into the Pau 22 before the visitors were caught offside which allowed Evans to open the scoring. But Pau's pack began to gain the ascendancy, while former England scrum-half Dan Robson's kicking game pinned the Dragons back into their 22.

The Dragons were dealt an injury blow when full-back Evans got helped off the field with what looked like a very painful lower limb injury. Pau got points out of their territorial dominance with a further two successful penalties from Desperes.

But after the impressive former Wales U20s captain Ackerman won a penalty at the breakdown the Dragons built pressure on the Pau line before Wainwright powered over from short-range.