Dragons' semi-final dedicated to Gwent and Wales
Dragons have reached a European semi-final for the third time in 11 years [Huw Evans Picture Agency] Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia dedicated his side's European Challenge Cup semi-final place to the people of Gwent and Wales. Dragons booked a place in the last four of this tournament for the first time in a decade with another victory on the road, this time a 35-32 success in northern Italy against Zebre. Tiatia's side will now travel to Montpellier at the start of May for a semi-final shootout against the Top 14 giants, with a place in the showpiece finals in Bilbao at stake later next month.
Dragons kept European dreams alive for Wales thanks to two tries from flanker Harrison Keddie, further scores from centre Fine Inisi and hooker Elliot Dee, and 15 points from the boot of full-back Angus O'Brien. "We're very happy," said former All Black Tiatia. "We're representing the people of Gwent but also Wales as well.
I'm proud of the effort of all the players and grateful we got through. "We're looking forward to the semi-final. We'll get ready and look forward to the challenges ahead.
" Zebre 32-35 Dragons: Welsh region reach European Challenge Cup semi-finals - reaction The qualified lawyer hunting Euro glory at Dragons Tiatia's side had gone into the quarter-final fixture confident after the impressive last-16 victory over Stade Francais in Paris. "In the first half we conceded too many penalties and with the two yellow cards we were under the pump and kept Zebre in the game," added Tiatia. "It was our lack of discipline and easy turnovers and we wanted to limit both of those in the second half.
We needed to make some changes around our mentality and possession. " Having conceded those two yellow cards in the first half - for backs David Richards and Inisi - Dragons went in at half-time with the game tied at 17-17. After the break Tiatia's men were the more clinical side to secure a second away win of the season.