Dragons coach Filo Tiatia emphasizes that the team will focus on their URC match against Zebre despite the upcoming Challenge Cup semi-final. The Dragons aim to overcome their away drought in the United Rugby Championship.
Key points
Dragons coach Filo Tiatia focuses on URC match against Zebre
Dragons aim to end away drought in United Rugby Championship
Aaron Wainwright will leave Dragons for Leicester in 2026
Dragons beat Zebre 35-32 in their last encounter
Next Challenge Cup semi-final is against Montpellier
Mentioned in this story
Aaron Wainwright
DragonsZebreLeicesterChallenge Cup
Dragons number eight Aaron Wainwright carries the ball at Zebre
Wales number eight Aaron Wainwright will leave Dragons for Leicester in 2026 [Huw Evans Picture Agency]
Boss Filo Tiatia insists Dragons will not be distracted by their upcoming Challenge Cup semi-final when they attempt to end a United Rugby Championship (URC) away drought at Zebre.
The Rodney Parade club make a swift return to Parma on Friday (19:45 BST) to face the side that they beat in the quarter-finals of the second-tier European competition.
That 35-32 success, which was more comprehensive than the scoreline suggests, has earned a trip to Montpellier on Sunday, 3 May and the chance for Dragons to reach a first final at the fourth time of asking.
"It's pretty easy to put it out of the mind," said head coach Filo Tiatia.
"The job at hand is versus Zebre and there's an opportunity to put a performance in and climb up the table."
Dragons have resisted the temptation to protect key figures at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi - there are nine survivors from the quarter-final starting line-up.
Talisman Aaron Wainwright and co-captains Ben Carter and Angus O'Brien return after being rested for a heavy defeat by Bulls last time out.
Tiatia does give a breather to wing Rio Dyer, centre Fine Inisi, tight-head prop Chris Coleman and back-row forwards Ryan Woodman and Harri Keddie.
Q&A
What is the significance of the Dragons' match against Zebre?
The match against Zebre is crucial for the Dragons as they seek to end their away drought in the United Rugby Championship.
When will the Dragons play their Challenge Cup semi-final?
The Dragons will play their Challenge Cup semi-final against Montpellier on Sunday, May 3.
Who is leaving the Dragons for Leicester in 2026?
Wales number eight Aaron Wainwright will leave the Dragons to join Leicester in 2026.
How did the Dragons perform in their last match against Zebre?
The Dragons won their last match against Zebre with a score of 35-32, a victory that was more comprehensive than the scoreline suggests.
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Tight-head prop Dillon Lewis returned from a calf injury from the bench against Bulls and makes his first start since 11 October while scrum-half Rhodri Williams is back from a head injury.
"There's a little bit of managing players, looking at who needs game time and who has earned the opportunity to put the jersey on," said Tiatia.
"We are trying to form competition within the group. We gave opportunities against Bulls and there are more this weekend.
"You are going to lose players to injury all the time and others need to be ready if there is an opportunity.
"It's a contact sport, people get hurt and the next person needs to be ready to go."
Dragons' URC away drought
Dragons have not won on their travels in the URC since beating Scarlets in Llanelli in April 2022, while their previous victory outside Wales was at Connacht in October 2021.
They endured late defeats at Munster and Ospreys in January, while they were also competitive at Stormers and Lions before Challenge Cup victories at Stade Francais and Zebre.
The Italians are fresh from a last-minute defeat at Edinburgh and are fuelled by revenge for the quarter-final defeat and the desire to chase down the one-from-bottom Dragons, who lead their hosts by seven points and trail Scarlets by two.
"We have to make our own luck and know what the challenge ahead is," said Tiatia.
"Zebre would have been disappointed losing the quarter-final but I remember vividly that some of their staff members were really clear about looking forward to us returning.
"We are looking forward to going to Parma and having a scrap."
How they line up
Zebre: TBC
Replacements: TBC
Dragons: O'Brien (co-capt); Richards, Paea, Owen, J Rosser; de Beer, R Williams; Martinez, Coghlan, Lewis, Douglas, Carter (co-capt), Lewis-Hughes, Young, Wainwright.
Replacements: Dee, R Jones, James, Screech, S Davies, M Lloyd, Ackerman, Anderson.
Referee: Ru Campbell (SRU)
Assistants: Gianlucca Gnecchi & Lorenzo Pedezzi (FIR)