Dragons stun Stade Francais with last-gasp win

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Apr 5, 2026 - 19:30

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Dragons stun Stade Francais with last-gasp win

Dragons players including Chris Coleman (R) celebrate a try against Stade Francais — Dragons are the only Welsh side that remain in Europe [Huw Evans Agency]

European Challenge Cup

Stade Francais (14) 31

Tries: Ezeala 3, Tanga Cons: Foursans-Bourdette 3, Henry Pen: Foursans-Bourdette

Dragons (17) 36

Tries: O'Brien, Coghlan, Coleman, Dee, W Jones Cons: O'Brien 4 Pen: O'Brien

A late try by prop Wyn Jones saw Dragons cause a big Challenge Cup upset by defeating Stade Francais in Paris in the last-16 tie.

Jones scored in the final minute to set up an away quarter-final against Zebre or Pau next Saturday evening.

Dragons had opened up an early 17-0 in the first quarter thanks to tries from full-back Angus O'Brien and hooker Brodie Coghlan.

Stade Francais responded with a hat-trick from impressive centre Samuel Ezeala and another score from number eight Yoan Tanga, with Louis Foursans-Bourdette kicking 12 points.

Wales front-row pair Chris Coleman and Elliot Dee crossed for Dragons in the second half before fellow international Jones secured the win, with O'Brien's conversion completing a 16 -point haul.

It was a shock win because Stade Francais are third in the French Top 14 league, while Dragons are languishing in 15th place in the United Rugby Championship (URC).

It was a first Dragons away win of the 2025-26 season and the first victory on the road since defeating Newcastle in December 2024.

The victory means Welsh interest will continue in Europe. Cardiff and Ospreys were eliminated in the Challenge Cup on Saurday after being on the wrong end of controversial refereeing decisions against Benetton and Ulster, while Scarlets failed to emerge from the Champions Cup group stages.

The victory also emulated another Dragons away success against Stade Francais in 2014 when O' Brien kicked 18 points.

Dragons avoided a scrum-half crisis with Rhodri Williams and Che Hope ruled out. Niall Armstrong was passed fit to start with Morgan Lloyd named on the bench.

Dragons had made three changes to the starting side that lost in the URC to Lions with fly-half Tinus de Beer, wing David Richards and lock Levi Douglas returning.

Stade Francais won three of four pool games to earn fourth seeding for the knockout stages and are also in a strong position in the Top 14 after demolishing Clermont Auvergne 64-20 last weekend.

Stade rung the changes with just 10 survivors, including England centre Joe Marchant, in their matchday squad from their big win against Clermont.

The more settled Dragons opened the scoring with an O'Brien penalty before he crossed for a well-worked converted try straight from a line-out.

Dragons' early dominance continued when Coghlan, fresh from signing a new contract last week, dived over from a driving maul.

Dragons, who were benefiting from the turnover prowess of flanker Thomas Young, lost the physical presence of Douglas to be replaced by Seb Davies.

Stade Francais lock Setareki Turagacoke was awarded a try, but following a check with the television match official, the grounding was short after clever defensive work from De Beer.

That only delayed affairs, though, as the hosts began to find their groove with Ezeala crossing twice just before half-time.

Jones proves unlikely Dragons hero

Dragons held a slim three-point advantage, but that lead was wiped out when Tanga powered over.

Coghlan conceded another penalty with a high tackle with Foursans-Bourdette slotting over the three points.

Dragons responded with a try for Coleman with O'Brien's conversion levelling the scores.

Stade Francais took the initiative again as Ezeala glided over for his hat-trick, but Dragons would not give up.

Replacement hooker Dee was driven over, but O'Brien missed the conversion and a late penalty.

The visitors were not perturbed and showed immense composure with a flowing move that was finished off by Jones flopping over the line and sending the travelling support into raptures.

Line-ups

Stade Francais: Ibo; Laloi, Marchant, Ezeala, Etien; Foursans-Bourdette, Abadie; Iscaro, Peyresblanques, Lux, Azagoh, Turagacoke, Scelzo, Chapuis (capt), Tanga.

Replacements: Garcia Albo, Paiva, P Alo-Emile, Huguet, Briatte, Motassi, Vili, Henry.

Dragons: O'Brien (co-capt); Richards, Inisi, Owen, Dyer; de Beer, Armstrong; Martinez, Coghlan, Coleman, Douglas, Carter (co-capt), Woodman, Young, Wainwright.

Replacements: Dee, W Jones, James, S Davies, Keddie, M Lloyd, Paea, Anderson.