URC: Ospreys 19-13 Dragons – Kellan Giles scores an 80th-minute winner for the hosts

The Ospreys were boosted by Wales’ release of Morgan Williams and loosehead prop Gareth Thomas, who made his first appearance since suffering a calf injury at the start of December.

The hosts were without six members of Steve Tandy’s squad and the visitors were denied the services of two.

The Dragons were then dealt a heavy blow in just the second minute by losing influential South African player Rob Hunt, who was taken off after injuring his left hamstring after being removed from the bench.

Former Wales Rodney Parade player Wyn Jones didn’t last much longer – he was taken off in the 12th minute and the game was still scoreless.

This meant that substitutes Jordan Morris and Sibo Dlamini had long spells on the surface, with injuries proving to be serious.

Fierce defending was the winner in the first quarter as both teams failed to get out of the way after penalty kicks in the corner.

The Dragons eventually counted the pressure in the 18th minute when a strong carry by the big ball carriers was followed by tenacious fly-half De Beer running through a gap for a try that was converted by Angus O’Brien.

The visitors failed to extend their lead despite going in front and paid the price in the 32nd minute when Morgan Williams fired a powerful shot under the posts, for Jack Walsh to equalize from the tee.

In-form winger Rio Dier, who missed out on the Six Nations squad, was denied twice from the left corner as the Dragons tried to respond and remained level on the break.

O’Brien sank two penalty kicks on either side of a defensive shift to give the visitors a 13-7 lead heading into the clock.

The Ospreys opted not to claim a tee from the shootout, but found the Dragons, with a solid defense and the big boot of O’Brien, a tough nut to crack as the rain poured down.

The Dragons were reduced to 14 men until the end when Dlamini was shown a yellow card for a high tackle on Harry Houston in the 73rd minute.

Ospreys kicked into the corner and Lloyd came off a line drive only for Walsh to pull the conversion.

The Dragons lost another man with four minutes to play due to their need to play uncontested scrums.

That proved crucial as Ospreys got in front for the first time when it mattered through Giles’ clear pass and his pace from close range did the rest.