Dragons overpowered by Perpignan as French side score six in first win of the season

The Dragons went down to a 41-17 defeat to French side Perpignan in the opening round of the Challenge Cup on Sunday.

Tries from James Hall, Mahamadou Diaby, Jefferson-Lee Joseph, Bastien Chinarro, a penalty try and Matteo Le Corvec condemned the Men of Gwent to yet another loss.

Joe Westwood and Wills Austin (two) scored in the second half for the visitors on a difficult afternoon.

The loss extended their losing run and they remain winless in 2025.

Last weekend the Dragons put up a valiant effort at Rodney Parade against giants Leinster, only to be denied by a controversial officiating decision late on.

Head coach Filo Tiatia was able to recall Wales duo Ben Carter and Rio Dyer for the clash against Perpignan, who are currently bottom of the Top 14 table and are winless this season.

The Dragons started positively, with the game being played in the home side’s half for the opening exchanges.

Sam Scarfe, on his first professional start, went close and was denied on the line following a lineout but a tap-and-go opportunity moments later was wasted.

Wales international Thomas Young showed tenacity to turn the ball over shortly afterwards but it was the home team who struck first on the scoreboard.

Scrum-half Hall finished a well-worked move after they found space out wide and the number nine ran a good inside line to finish under the posts.

Gabin Kretchmann added the extras.

Then came a key moment, with Duncan Paia’aua receiving a 20-minute red card for a high tackle on Scarfe, for which he could have few complaints.

Austin replaced Scarfe, while Cai Evans was also an early departure, with Ewan Rosser replacing him.

Perpignan thought they’d doubled their advantage shortly afterwards but a foot in touch denied them.

They