THE Dragons took the spoils in Glasgow in December when Brandon shanked a conversion and now they hope to sneak a Champions Cup spot after the Warriors bizarrely failed to call for the kicking tee.

The two clubs are battling for fourth place in Conference A of the Guinness PRO14, a finish that could mean qualification for the Champions Cup if European bosses opt to continue with an expanded premier competition.

It will all go down to this weekend’s action when Glasgow host Benetton on Saturday afternoon and the Dragons entertain Edinburgh at Principality Stadium on Sunday (kick-off 2pm).

The sides are level on points with the Warriors having the edge on points difference but Dean Ryan’s men gave themselves a fighting chance thanks to a 26-17 win in Cardiff on Sunday.

They have been helped by the Warriors inexplicably turning down shots at goal in the closing stages in Cardiff in favour of hammering away at the line.

The Dragons held firm and Glasgow travelled back to Scotland without what could have been a vital consolation bonus.

South Wales Argus:

If the Warriors blow it and finish fifth then they will be left to rue Thomson somehow missing from next to the posts with the final kick in a 23-22 loss at Scotstoun Stadium and then his teammates failing to be pragmatic in Wales.

“It was a titanic effort at the end by us. We had done our homework and knew that to stay alive this week we had to stop them getting a bonus point,” said Dragons fly-half Sam Davies.

“Fair play to the boys at the end, they dug so deep. We worked out the ramifications and knew that if we kept them out we would be in with a shout.

“Luckily for us they didn't take the points and probably backed themselves, but our defence held so strong and there was no way through.”

The Dragons will now watch on with interest on Saturday afternoon to see if Benetton can do them a favour by denying the Warriors a five-point haul.

Davies is hopeful that the Italians can give them a real shot at glory against Edinburgh 24 hours later.

“They are a good team and you can never write them off,” he said. “They will be hungry to get a win and will have their internationals back.

“For us, it's a case of replicating that performance but also being more accurate. We know that we will probably have to get five points.”

South Wales Argus:

Davies was named official man of the match for his display against the Warriors, although the honour probably deserved to be won by somebody wearing between 1 and 8.

That a back took the glory won’t be a surprise to the forwards but the fly-half was quick to stress it was a team effort, with the little men aiming to match the intensity of the big lumps.

“Luckily I got man of the match but there were a few candidates out there,” he admitted. “Ross Moriarty was outstanding and there was a long list of boys who put their body on the line.

“It wasn't just the forwards. The backs were flying in as well and that's credit to us as a team at the moment.

“We have so much respect, love and passion for each other - we are leaving it all out there. From 1 to 15 plus the bench, everybody was putting in collisions.

“To see them putting their bodies on the line for you, and you doing the same for them, I am just so happy and proud to be a Dragon because that was something special.”

South Wales Argus:

They hit hard but also got themselves back into the lead with a peach of a try by Jordan Williams, who caught Aneurin Owen’s pass at pace to burst through and then jink over.

“I think we are more physical but we also have more freedom,” said Davies. “When you clear the mind of too much shape and too many processes it allows you to be yourself.

“That's all a lot of boys here at that the Dragons need, they just need a licence to be themselves. We are seeing glimpses of that and it's promising.

“It wasn't the perfect performance, far from it. We know that there is lots more to come.”