Dragons edge Scarlets in 10-try United Rugby Championship derby at Rodney Parade

Dragons defeated Scarlets in a 10-try United Rugby Championship match at Rodney Parade on 3 October 2026, the hosts running in six tries to Scarlets' four in front of 7,163 spectators.

The victory saw Dragons record a Welsh derby success after an opening-weekend draw with Benetton, while Scarlets suffered a second derby defeat following their home loss to Cardiff; the match was played at Rodney Parade in Newport. Scarlets were without back-row players Taine Plumtree and Fletcher Anderson through injury, and Sam Costelow returned at fly-half as part of five changes made from the team that lost 21-15 to Cardiff. Dragons named co-captain Ben Carter back in the starting XV but Angus O'Brien remained absent; scrum-half Rhodri Williams made his 150th Dragons appearance against his former club and led the team out with his family.

Scarlets opened the scoring when Macs Page produced a solo try after drifting around the Dragons defence and collecting his own chip, a score which Costelow converted. Dragons hit back through Tongan wing Anzelo Tuitavuki and then Wales hooker Elliot Dee, the latter following a well-worked line-out between Aneurin Owen and Thomas Young, to take the initiative before Page's second try and Costelow's conversion left Scarlets 14-12 at the interval.

The hosts struck immediately after half-time when Rio Dyer's kick-off return put Dragons on the front foot and Rodrigo Martinez finished in the aftermath, Joe de Beer converting. Scarlets substitute Sam O'Connor soon burrowed over for a try that Costelow converted to restore Scarlets' lead, but Scarlets conceded needless penalties from the kick-off that put them under pressure and allowed Dragons to retake control.

Huw Anderson scored a try in the right-hand corner to give Dragons the advantage after a held-up effort by flanker Thomas Young, and Scarlets captain Josh Macleod was yellow carded for a professional foul following an excellent break from Dyer. Dee then went over for his second try before being replaced, and Scarlets — down to 14 men briefly — responded with replacement Ioan Jones touching down from a quick line-out for their fourth try.

Dragons secured the win when prop Rob Hunt crossed for a late try, completing a six-try tally that included scores from Dee (2), Tuitavuki, Martinez, Anderson and Hunt; Scarlets' tries came from Page (2), Sam O'Connor and Ioan Jones. Conversions were recorded as de Beer 3 and J Lloyd for Dragons, and Costelow 3 for Scarlets, with assistant referees Ben Whitehouse (WRU) and Marcus Caudle (WRU) overseeing the match.

Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia said: "We had all the possession and territory in the first half but just weren't clinical enough. "We were in control and needed to maximise the opportunities when they were on. "I am proud of the group. We want to keep growing and keep going up the ladder." Scarlets director of rugby Nigel Davies commented: “We battled well but we were on the wrong side of some big moments that swung the game.”

The matchday squads were: Dragons — Anderson; Dyer, Inisi, Owen, Tuitavuki; de Beer, Williams; Martinez, Dee, Hunt, S Davies, Carter (capt), Lewis-Hughes, Young, Keddie. Replacements: Coghlan, R Jones, Lewis, Woodman, Beddall, Hope, J Lloyd, Paea. Scarlets — Murray; Mee, Roberts, James, Page; Costelow, Blacker; Mathias, Elias, H O'Connor, Groves, Lousi, Macleod (capt), D Davis, O Williams. Replacements: McKee, S O'Connor, Hawley, W Evans, T Davies, G Davies, Hawkins, I Jones.

The result left Dragons unbeaten after their opening draw with Benetton, while Scarlets have now lost two derby fixtures in the early stages of the United Rugby Championship.