THE Dragons dug deep for a 21-15 victory in Pau and are now chasing a home tie in the last 16 of the European Challenge Cup.

Dai Flanagan’s men won for the first time since October by turning the tables on the French side, who sneaked a success when the teams met at Rodney Parade in December.

The Dragons led 15-7 at the break thanks to tries by winger Ashton Hewitt and centre Max Clark, then soaked up some Pau pressure before sealing the win through the boots of fly-halves Will Reed and JJ Hanrahan.

Here are some talking points from the clash at the Stade du Hameau…

YOUNG GUNS STAND TALL

The gutsy victory puts the Dragons on the brink of the last 16 and gives them a shot at earning home advantage.

They ended a seven-game winless streak and while Pau opened the door by ringing the changes to focus on their Top 14 relegation scrap, this was certainly not the strongest side that Flanagan could name.

The Dragons ended the game with Josh Reynolds, Brodie Coghlan and Luke Yendle in the front row, who have a combined tally of games for the club of just 50.

Ben Carter, still just 21 despite being a Wales international, was at lock and Che Hope, who is just 20, was at scrum-half. Fly-half Will Reed, 20, was on until very close to the end.

Flanagan and his staff put their faith in a lot of raw players, in part through necessity, and they came up with the goods.

That bodes well for the future, as does the amount of players that featured who have come through the academy. Ten of the finishers were home grown along with four starters that went off.

The Dragons have their depth issues because of budget and need those that are third or fourth on the depth chart to keep progressing.

The following side didn’t feature in Pau through injury or rotation: Angus O’Brien; David Richards, Sio Tomkinson, Aneurin Owen, Jared Rosser; Sam Davies, Gonzalo Bertranou (or Rhodri Williams); Rhodri Jones, Elliot Dee, Leon Brown (or Lloyd Fairbrother), Matthew Screech, Will Rowlands, Harri Keddie, Ben Fry, Ross Moriarty.

You could make a good argument for that side beating the one that took to the field, which makes the success in France all the more noteworthy.

South Wales Argus: Dragons flanker Taine Basham in action for WalesDragons flanker Taine Basham in action for Wales

WALES BOOST

A couple of Six Nations contenders and the odd potential bolter will hope that Warren Gatland has a Viaplay subscription.

Taine Basham and Bradley Roberts were given Test debuts by Wayne Pivac and did their chances of being called up by his compatriot and replacement no harm at all.

Basham is back from a dislocated elbow and showed he is getting back to full speed by playing the full 80 and impressing with his dynamism and the odd big moment.

He carried formidably and frequently (14 times) against some big units and went looking for rips in the tackle, with one especially timely one coming off in the second half.

Wales are stacked in the back row and Tommy Reffell and Jac Morgan may well be ahead of him at openside, but Basham is in the mix.

Roberts might also suffer from the competition at hooker with Ken Owens, Ryan Elias and Dewi Lake his main rivals.

The Dragons front rower carried with gusto and has really dug deep over recent weeks in the absence of Elliot Dee, starting all three festive games and going again in France.

Roberts made nine carries but perhaps his size may count against him, even if Gatland himself was a small hooker.

Is that adding to the Dragons’ scrum problems? Owens, Elias and Lake are all bulkier options but Roberts is setting the standard in the loose.

Lock Ben Carter also made an accomplished return off the bench from the ankle injury suffered after autumn international duty while uncapped George Nott was excellent when playing the full 80 in the second row, giving a gentle nudge to Gatland and his coaches.

South Wales Argus: VICTOIRE! The Dragons celebrate their win in Pau with the ball boysVICTOIRE! The Dragons celebrate their win in Pau with the ball boys (Image: Submitted)

 

SET PIECE GOOD, BAD AND UGLY

The lineout was a big win for the Dragons with Nott having a superb game in that department while also putting in a big effort in the loose.

They reduced Pau to a paltry 57 per cent success rate at the lineout with the French side winning just eight of 14.

The Dragons were strong on their own throw until losing their way late on with some ambitious calling to the tail, although the last botched effort ultimately led to the hosts being pinged at the breakdown when trying to counter from the 22.

The lineout went superbly but the scrum was a car crash and the signs were ominous when Pau produced a dominant shove after just five minutes.

Chris Coleman is having a tough spell after making strides this season and could do with being given a break.

The sight of Leon Brown out in France gives reason for optimism, although the Wales tighthead won’t be rushed back after a shoulder nerve issue that has sidelined him since April, while Lloyd Fairbrother’s situation is delicate after a family bereavement.

The other side of the front row is fascinating and Josh Reynolds did his chances of a more prominent role in the first team the power of good after coming off the bench.

The 24-year-old did really well and grasped his opportunity while former Wales prop Rob Evans didn’t take his as a starter.

Reynolds has played just four games this season but this was a promising performance and he will be keen to put the heat on Aki Seiuli and Rhodri Jones.