Edinburgh beat Dragons as Van der Merwe shines on return

Duhan van der Merwe cuts over for the first of his two tries for Edinburgh [Huw Evans Picture Agency] United Rugby Championship Dragons (10) 15 Tries : Lewis, Keddie Con: O'Brien Pen: O'Brien Edinburgh (14) 24 Tries: Ashman, Currie, Van der Merwe 2 Cons: Thompson 2 Duhan van der Merwe returned from injury to score two tries as Edinburgh beat Dragons at Rodney Parade. The result denied Aaron Wainwright a fairytale farewell, with the influential number eight making his final home appearance for Dragons before joining Leicester this summer. The visitors led 14-10 at the break as player-of-the-match Ewan Ashman and Tom Currie scored tries, with Dillon Lewis touching down for Dragons.

After the interval Harrison Keddie gave the hosts the lead by rounding off a superb team score - but despite Edinburgh having to endure two yellow cards Van der Merwe, making his first appearance since picking up an ankle injury in February, crossed twice to settle matters. For Sean Everitt's resurgent side, it signified three straight United Rugby Championship wins for the first time this season. Dragons now go to Scarlets for their final league game behind their rivals in the table, and in need of a win to avoid being the bottom Welsh side.

Edinburgh seize initiative after Dyer denied Despite losing prop Rodrigo Martinez to an early head injury, it was Dragons who drew first blood eight minutes in when flanker Thomas Young caught Ross Thompson in his own 22 and forced a penalty, giving Angus O'Brien the chance to land a simple three points. But when Edinburgh had their own close range penalty moments later, they opted for the corner and it paid off as hooker Ashman forced his way over from close range and Thompson converted. As the half wore on, the Scottish side looked to attack at every opportunity with Darcy Graham prominent in coming off his wing and looking for ball.

However, the Dragons were resolute and then went back in front from a well executed driving line-out as prop Lewis emerged from a pile of bodies with the ball and O'Brien did the honours with the boot. And before the break the home crowd thought they had more reason to cheer when an Edinburgh attack broke down and Rio Dyer picked up the loose ball and sped 80 metres to the line, only to be denied by TMO intervention with O'Brien deemed to have knocked on as he made a defensive hit in the build-up. It proved a crucial moment, and instead of moving two scores clear Dragons were left having to deal with an Edinburgh scrum near their own line.