Dragons start 2026 with remarkable bonus point derby win

The Dragons kicked off 2026 with a remarkable bonus point derby win over the Scarlets, defeating the west Walians 28-5 at Rodney Parade.

Having had to wait until the 348th day of 2025 to taste victory, Filo Tiatia's side wasted little time in celebrating the New Year thanks to tries from Tinus de Beer, Oli Burrows, David Richards and George Roberts.

As for the Scarlets, beyond Ellis Mee's first-half score, there was little to smile about as 2026 began in chastening fashion for Dwayne Peel's team.

The Scarlets showed ambition within seconds of kick-off. Spreading the ball wide from a lineout, only a forward pass denied Wales wing Mee a try after less than a minute.

However, that was as fluent as the Scarlets attack would look for large periods of the first-half, with the Dragons' physical defence frustrating Dwayne Peel's side.

On the other side of the ball, discipline became the Scarlets' worst enemy - with a raft of quickfire penalties allowing the Dragons to take the lead after eight minutes.

After some piggyback penalties moved the home side into the 22, fly-half de Beer crashed over for his first Dragons try after strong work by his pack and outside centre Aneurin Owen.

Joe Hawkins had a chance to get the Scarlets on the scoreboard minute later, but the Wales playmaker's penalty was pulled wide of the mark.

Discipline remained an issue, with second-row Harvey Cuckson sent to the sin-bin after 24 minutes for a no-arms tackle.

Despite the numerical advantage, the Dragons weren't able to add to their lead.

And, once back up to 15, the Scarlets would finally find a cutting edge.

After a driving maul looked to be coming to a half, hooker Marnus van der Merwe managed to pop the ball out to Mee - with the wing stepping his