Dragons RFC lose 44-6 in URC opener to Edinburgh

Dean Ryan’s men were looking to put on a performance to show that last season was well and truly behind them, with nine new signings, a new head coach, and even a new name this time out.

Five of the new signings were in the starting line-up at the DAM Health Stadium, but Harrison Keddie, Sam Davies, Leon Brown and Ollie Griffiths were ruled out through injury, and Aston Hewitt wasn’t deemed ready to make his return.

All the changes seemed to have had a marked impact in the opening stages, with Dragons first to every ball and forcing the opposition into sloppy mistakes through their fast pressing.

JJ Hanrahan opened the scoring just two minutes in with a long-range penalty from just over 10 metres inside the Edinburgh half.

JJ Hanrahan opens the scoring with a penalty. Picture: Huw Evans Picture Agency. (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)

The Irishman doubled his tally minutes later after Edinburgh were punished for an offside out wide.

And Dragons continued to cause Edinburgh problems, forcing the Scottish side into uncharacteristic mistakes.

But the hosts came back into the game with a spell of pressure on the Dragons try line after winning a penalty in the 22. Edinburgh were denied on the line, but Ben Vellacott managed to nip in and burst over the line.

Jack Dixon tries to break away for Dragons. Picture: Huw Evans Picture Agency. (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)

Five minutes before the end of the half, Edinburgh extended their lead further.  

A good pass wide left saw the hosts break. The Dragons back line managed to hold out twice, but the Greg Young picked up the ball and burst over.

It went from bad to worse just before half time, with Lloyd Fairbrother being yellow carded for a late tackle.

And Edinburgh took advantage of their extra man, with Bennett scoring a penalty conceded by Dragons inside their own 22.

Dragons needed to start the second half like they had done in the first, but just three minutes in and it was the home fans who were celebrating.

A maul deep inside the Dragons half saw the ball unloaded by Chris Dean out to the right wing, where Darcy Graham went over.

Fortunately for Dragons, Mark Bennett’s wayward kicking kept the score down, converting just three of the hosts’ tries.

Darcy Graham dives over the line for Edinburgh. Picture: Huw Evans Picture Agency. (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)

Graham added his second try just a few minutes later, picking up a loose ball and skipping through the Dragons line to race through to score.

Mike Blair’s side added a third try of the half in less than 15 minutes, as a maul in the centre of the pitch was switched out to the left wing with a lofted pass, and Damien Hoyland had no-one near him and was able to dive over in the corner.

The hosts capitalised on another Dragons mistake just after the hour mark, and an underweighted pass was punted forward by Blair Kinghorn, who followed his own kick to sprint clear of the visitors’ defence.

Dragons players leave the field dejected following a 44-6 defeat. Picture: Huw Evans Picture Agency. (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)

And Kinghorn was instrumental in adding Edinburgh’s seventh try of the game, picking the ball up almost underneath his own posts and breaking to halfway, where he squared the ball to Dean who ran home for an easy try.

Edinburgh replacement Nick Haining was shown a late yellow card, but it was too late for Dragons to capitalise on.

Dean Ryan will be hoping for a more disciplined performance next Sunday as Dragons host Munster at Rodney Parade.