Dragons' shock win keeps Wales in Europe after TMO woe

Dragons will fly the flag for Wales in the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup after one of the best victories in their history at Stade Francais.

Filo Tiatia's men will travel to Parma to take on Zebre on Saturday, 11 April (20:00 BST) thanks to a shock triumph in Paris earned by prop Wyn Jones' last-gasp try.

With the Italians bottom of the United Rugby Championship (URC), Dragons might just travel as favourites.

Cardiff and Ospreys will look on jealously after late TMO drama in their last-16 defeats by Benetton and Ulster, where spirited efforts could not prevent exits.

BBC Sport Wales looks back at a dramatic round of European action for the Welsh trio.

Dragons' finest hour?

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Dragons repeated their 2014 victory against Stade Francais in Paris

Stade Francais' priority might have been the Top 14 as they lie third in the table but they have a big budget and a formidable squad, so Dragons were still overwhelming underdogs at Stade Jean Bouin.

However, the Rodney Parade club have proved to be a tougher nut to crack this season and travelled fresh from spirited displays against Stormers and Lions.

That South Africa tour came after Dragons, who are on a five-game unbeaten run in Newport, were denied late on at Munster and Ospreys.

The Gwent side provided more evidence of their progress in 2025-26 with an impressive display to stun Stade on their own turf.

"The boys hung in there and really stayed in the fight and that was crucial for the outcome we had," said Tiatia, whose side have made huge strides since starting their European campaign with a 41-17 defeat by Perpignan.

"The first half there was a lot of good things. I just wanted to take the opportunities that were in front of them and just be clear and calm. We showed that at the end.

"It was a very positive day for us and I'm proud of them and thankful for the support we had here from our fans.

"We have a quarter-final to look forward to and an opportunity."

This was a result to rival the quarter-final upset against defending champions Gloucester at Kingsholm in the 2016 Challenge Cup.

On that occasion it was scrum-half Charlie Davies that was the hero from a driving lineout.

Now loose-head prop Wyn Jones has joined him in Dragons folklore by going over for his first try since the 2020 Six Nations at Scotland.

It was Dragons' first away win of the season and they will be hungry for more.

They now face a Zebre side who prop up the URC but crucially beat Ospreys at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in the Challenge Cup group stages on their way to being seeded fifth.

Dragons, who have won twice, drawn once and lost eight times in Parma, will not travel as huge underdogs in the last eight.

The winners go on to face either Montpellier or Connacht in the semi-finals, with the Welsh side's ranking meaning the tie would be in France or Ireland.

Controversial calls deny Cardiff and Ospreys

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Cardiff won the Challenge Cup in 2010 and 2018

Injury-hit Cardiff showed spirit to close to within three points of Benetton in Treviso and hammered away at the line in the closing stages rather than kicking a penalty to level the scores.

They felt Evan Lloyd had gone over before Alex Mann knocked the ball on from a subsequent charge for the line.

Benetton broke away and, despite the pleas of captain Ben Thomas, French referee Kevin Bralley would not review the footage.

It's unlikely there would have been enough evidence to overturn the decision but pleas to at least have a look were rejected.

"It's a tough one to take because there's different rules and set-up between the URC and Europe," said coach Corniel van Zyl.

"We understand but it feels like we could have had a look at the last one. You never know, it could have been a try and that would have won it."

Cardiff now lick their wounds before charging into the URC run-in as they try to secure a play-off spot.

The manner of the exit in Treviso when down to the bare bones against a stacked Benetton side will ensure confidence is not damaged.

"If you look at our squad with the injuries we had, I don't think anybody would have given us a chance," said captain Liam Belcher.

"We have had a lot of wins this year but I think that is one of our proudest performances. We pushed them all the way and could have won that."

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Ospreys travelled to Ulster after finishing fourth in Pool One of the Challenge Cup

The officials would not review the footage in Treviso but a check proved to be costly for Ospreys in Belfast.

Scrum-half Kieran Hardy thought he had put them in front in the 78th minute when he finished off from centre Owen Watkin's offload.

However, English referee Anthony Woodthorpe and TMO David Rose deemed that the final pass was forward.

A marginal call went the way of the defence rather than the attack.

Ospreys were denied a trip to La Rochelle and realistically are left to play for pride in 2025-26, with the top eight of the URC looking out of reach.

Mark Jones' side have shown admirable character to perform amid off-field uncertainty and will also be keen to finish strongly for Jac Morgan before the Wales captain leaves for Gloucester.

Ospreys can also give Cardiff a lift if they beat Sharks in Bridgend on Saturday, 18 April (19:45 BST).