Dragons beat Scarlets 38-26 in a ten-try Welsh derby at Rodney Parade, with Elliot Dee leading the way with two tries of his own. Anzelo Tuitavuki, Rodrigo Martinez, Rob Hunt and Huw Anderson also crossed for the home side, while Macs Page scored twice for Scarlets either side of tries from Sam O’Connor and Ioan Jones.
Sam Costelow kicked three conversions for Scarlets, and Tinus de Beer matched that total for Dragons, with Jac Lloyd landing another as the points flowed freely. Ten tries in eighty minutes left supporters on both sides with plenty to talk about on derby day.
Scarlets arrived under pressure after a home defeat to Cardiff, a result we covered in our latest rugby news, and they made five changes for this trip to Newport, including a start for Sam Costelow at fly-half. They were also missing the injured back-row duo of Taine Plumtree and Fletcher Anderson. Dragons, by contrast, went into the game unbeaten after their opening-weekend draw with Benetton.
Detailed First Half Narrative
This derby arrived at the end of a summer of change for Dragons, who said goodbye to a huge figure in the squad when Aaron Wainwright left the region back in May. Supporters who turned out to give Aaron Wainwright a send-off would have recognised plenty of the character still on show here.
The derby had an edge from kick-off. Rodney Parade can be an uncomfortable place for visitors, and this contest made sure of that again. Scarlets’ five changes, including Costelow’s return at fly-half, were designed to freshen up a side already missing Taine Plumtree and Fletcher Anderson through injury. For long spells in that opening period, Scarlets matched Dragons physically and refused to be bullied out of the contest.
Head coach Filo Tiatia, who has been part of contract talks over his own future at the club, set his side the task of controlling territory and forcing Scarlets into errors. That plan worked in broad terms, even if the scoreline did not reflect it by half time. Dragons held the better of possession without quite finding the composure needed to turn pressure into points.
“We had all the possession and territory in the first half but just weren’t clinical enough,” Tiatia said.
Scarlets have endured a difficult start of their own since that home defeat to Cardiff, and their changes were a clear attempt to find a spark. Costelow’s return at number ten gave them a different kicking and running threat, and his presence helped Scarlets stop Dragons’ control turning into an early lead. By the interval, the derby remained finely balanced despite the home side’s grip on territory.
Detailed Second Half Narrative & Drama
The ten tries shared across the match, as detailed in the BBC match report, made for a breathless occasion at Rodney Parade. Dragons made their territorial dominance count far more consistently once the second half got going, turning pressure that had gone unrewarded before the break into scores on the board.
Tiatia felt his side were worthy winners even though Scarlets refused to go away throughout the second period.
“We were in control and needed to maximise the opportunities when they were on,” Tiatia said.
Scarlets kept believing from start to finish. Tries from Macs Page, who finished with two on the day, plus Sam O’Connor and Ioan Jones, meant Dragons never had the result settled until deep into the second half. Costelow’s reliable kicking, with three conversions added to those tries, kept the destination of the win in doubt for longer than the eventual scoreline suggests.
Dragons answered with continued accuracy at the set piece and quick support play out wide. Dee’s second try of the afternoon proved especially important, restoring a buffer his side would not give up again. Following their opening-weekend draw with Benetton, this was exactly how Dragons beat Scarlets once their accuracy finally matched their territory.
Tiatia was pleased to see his side back up the promise of that opening weekend with a result against a fierce rival.
“I am proud of the group. We want to keep growing and keep going up the ladder,” Tiatia said.
Player Ratings (home side)
- Elliot Dee (9/10): Two tries from the hooker underlined his influence close to the Scarlets line, and his accuracy in contact gave Dragons the platform to pull clear in a fierce local derby. A big day for the forward at Rodney Parade.
- Anzelo Tuitavuki (8/10): His try added real punch out wide and showed why he has become a trusted finisher for Dragons. A composed display that helped turn territory into points on a day Tiatia wanted exactly that kind of edge.
- Rodrigo Martinez (7/10): Crossed for a crucial try of his own and played his part in a performance built on patience up front. Solid rather than spectacular, but his contribution mattered in a tight derby battle.
- Rob Hunt (7/10): Got on the scoresheet with a well taken try and gave Dragons another attacking option against a stretched Scarlets defence. A useful afternoon’s work in a high scoring contest at Rodney Parade.
- Huw Anderson (7/10): Rounded off the scoring with a try that summed up Dragons’ improvement after the break. His finish reflected a collective effort that eventually proved too much for a committed Scarlets side.
- Tinus de Beer (8/10): Landed all three of his conversion attempts and kept the scoreboard ticking over throughout the derby. Reliable goal kicking of this kind matters in a high scoring, ten try contest like this one.
- Jac Lloyd (6/10): Came off the bench and slotted a conversion when called upon, adding to the kicking depth Dragons could rely on. A tidy cameo in a match that demanded composure under real pressure.
Player Ratings (opponent)
- Macs Page (8/10): Scored twice to finish as Scarlets’ most dangerous attacker on the day, showing real composure in a losing cause. His double kept Dragons honest from the first minute to the last at Rodney Parade.
- Sam O’Connor (7/10): Crossed for an important try and offered Scarlets a route back into the derby at a time they badly needed one. A bright showing on an afternoon that still ended in defeat.
- Ioan Jones (7/10): Got over for a try of his own and showed the persistence Scarlets needed against a determined Dragons side. His score kept the contest alive deep into the second half.
- Sam Costelow (7/10): Recalled at fly-half as one of five changes, he landed three conversions and controlled the kicking game well. A solid return given the circumstances, even as Scarlets came up short in the end.
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