Dragons celebrated a significant morale boost ahead of their Challenge Cup semi-final after David Richards scored a dramatic last-minute try against Zebre in the United Rugby Championship (URC). This victory marked the end of a four-year wait for an away league win for the Rodney Parade team.

The match began with Dragons leading 7-3 at half-time, thanks to a try from wing Jared Rosser. However, Zebre quickly equalized after the break with a try from hooker Tommaso di Bartolomeo. The contest remained tight, with Ben Carter putting Dragons back ahead in the 67th minute, only for Samuele Locatelli to respond for the home side shortly after.

Dragons ultimately clinched the win with a last-second play, echoing their earlier success at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi. This victory was significant as it represented their first away triumph in the URC since defeating Scarlets in April 2022, and their first win outside Wales since October 2021.

The triumph lifted Dragons above Scarlets into 14th place in the standings, showing progress after finishing at the bottom last season. With key players seemingly fit for their upcoming semi-final against Montpellier on May 3, their confidence is high.

Conversely, Zebre appears to be on a downward trajectory, likely finishing at the bottom of the table as they face tough opponents in South Africa. After a heartbreaking loss in the last minute against Edinburgh in round 15, history repeated itself for the Italians in this match.

Despite a flurry of penalties in the opening quarter, the only score initially came from Giacomo Da Re's boot for Zebre. The match showcased a blend of missed opportunities and tenacity, culminating in Richards' decisive try, sealing a thrilling finish for the Dragons.