🚀 Check out this must-read post from BBC Sport 📖
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✅ Main takeaway:
The Dragons endured a nightmare winless 2025 until beating Lyon in the Challenge Cup on December 14, which was followed by URC’s stunning win over Connacht six days later.
Filo Tiatia’s men finished bottom of the URC last season, but resilient recent displays have given reason for optimism.
The Dragons are currently 15th, but could finish 10th if they beat the Scarlets.
Not only do they want to avoid backing the mound this season, they want to avoid being the worst team in Wales for the first time since 2019-20.
Head coach Tiatia believes they have been encouraged by their battling performance in Cardiff.
“There were some positives, and we stayed in the fight to try to win it in the end,” he said.
“We’ve probably had a five or 10 per cent discount in terms of some of the physical aspects of the game, but we have a lot to offer the Scarlets.”
The Scarlets currently sit last in the URC, although they have a game in hand, and their recent lead has come to a screeching halt against the Ospreys.
“The games are coming thick and fast,” said coach Dwayne Bell, whose side are preparing for two European Champions Cup matches against Pau and Northampton on the horizon.
“Dragons is another important game and another tough game for us. We have to make sure we go into Rodney Parade sparked and full of energy.”
Like the Ospreys, a win on New Year’s Day would dramatically change the picture at URC and give some hope of repeating last season’s charge to the top eight.
💬 What do you think?
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