Summary

  • Fine Inisi and Harrison Keddie score first half tries for Welsh region

  • Dragons duo David Richards and try-scorer Inisi are both sin-binned

  • Jacopo Trulla and Giulio Bertaccini both touch down for Italians in tight opening half

  • Keddie scores his second try to put Dragons in control

  • Replacement hooker Elliot Dee scores away side's fourth try

  • Angus O'Brien kicks 15 points for Dragons

  • Late Leonard Krumov and Giovanni tries not enough for late Zebre comeback

  • Dragons will face Montpellier in the semi-finals in early May

  • The final will be held at Bilbao's San Mames Stadium on Friday, 22 May

  1. Postpublished at 29 mins

    Zebre 10-10 Dragons

    Aneurin Owen is off for a HIA here after carrying into contact - but Mr Pearce has ruled the clash of heads was accidental and there was little the defender could do.

    The Dragons medical staff look, well, less than ecstatic with that interpretation.

    Dragons' Aneurin Owen carriesImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
  2. Zebre back in itpublished at 28 mins

    Zebre 10-10 Dragons

    Gwyn Jones
    Former Wales captain on S4C

    After a professional and disciplined start, Zebre are now back level and Dragons are short a man having looked comfortable.

  3. Postpublished at 27 mins

    Zebre 10-10 Dragons

    Richie Rees
    Former Cardiff and Wales scrum-half on BBC Radio Wales

    That Zebre try has all come from a lack of discipline and accuracy from Dragons in the past five minutes.

  4. try

    Converted try: Zebre 10-10 Dragonspublished at 26 mins

    Trulla try, Da Re con

    This contest has turned in a flash.

    From the yellow card, Giacomo Da Re goes for the corner and again it is that man Jacopo Trulla who comes into the line and cuts over near the posts.

    From leading by seven, the Dragons are pegged back level and still have eight minutes to go with 14 men.

  5. Sin-bin: David Richardspublished at 24 mins

    Zebre 3-10 Dragons

    David Richards had to go there.

    Jacopo Trulla latches onto a cross-field kick from Giacomo Da Re and then chips ahead himself - only for Richards to haul him down late.

    Little option for referee Luke Pearce.

  6. Postpublished at 20 mins

    Zebre 3-10 Dragons

    Superb defence from Dragons.

    A burst from Jacopo Trulla again has them scrambling in their own 22 but the defence reorganises and they withstand some heavy pressure.

    Eventually, the hosts run out of ideas and Matteo Canali is pinged for running into his own man.

  7. Effectivepublished at 16 mins

    Zebre 3-10 Dragons

    Gwyn Jones
    Former Wales captain on S4C

    That kick can be very effective sometimes!

  8. try

    Converted try: Zebre 3-10 Dragonspublished at 15 mins

    Inise try, O'Brien con

    Aneurin Owen chips ahead and Fine Inisi pounces!

    Owen was only 15 metres out but spotted a gap behind the Zebre defence. The kick was an awkward one and sure enough, it bounces away from the covering defender and Inisi is able to get a hand down on the ball over the line.

    Looked messy, but who cares? Angus O'Brien adds the simple extras.

    Dragons' Fine Inisi scores a tryImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
  9. Penalty: Zebre 3-3 Dragonspublished at 12 mins

    Da Re

    You can tell this is cup rugby - neither side is turning down three points when they're on offer early on.

    This time it's Zebre's chance after Aaron Wainwright is caught offside in midfield and from a similar range to Angus O'Brien just moments before, Giacomo Da Re nails it.

    As you were.

  10. Postpublished at 11 mins

    Zebre 0-3 Dragons

    Richie Rees
    Former Cardiff and Wales scrum-half on BBC Radio Wales

    Dragons have been positive all season in going for the corner but have chosen to go for three points.

    It is a European quarter-final and was the right decision.

    These last three minutes have to be the blueprint for the Dragons for the rest of the game.

  11. Penalty: Zebre 0-3 Dragonspublished at 11 mins

    O'Brien

    No mistake from the full-back!

    He struck that straight and true and that should settle the visitors down.

    Dragons' Angus O'Brien kicks at goalImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
  12. Postpublished at 10 mins

    Zebre 0-0 Dragons

    Finally, it's Dragons on the attack.

    A strong carry from Aaron Wainwright sees the number eight break two tackles and leads to a penalty chance - and Angus O'Brien immediately steps up to go for the posts.

    He's right of centre, about 35 metres out...

    Aaron Wainwright of Dragons is tackled by Leonardo Krumov of ZebreImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
  13. Pressure on Dragonspublished at 8 mins

    Zebre 0-0 Dragons

    Gwyn Jones
    Former Wales captain on S4C

    More good play from Zebre, but Dragons have sufficient numbers there to deal with it again.

    The pressure has been on the Dragons early on though.

  14. Postpublished at 6 mins

    Zebre 0-0 Dragons

    It's still scoreless but boy, this is an edgy start for the Welsh side.

    Jacopo Trulla speeds down the left wing and his pass inside looks destined to be a scoring one - only for a retreating Fine Inisi to make a crucial interception.

    Dragons need some possession and territory here.

  15. Dragons improvingpublished at 4 mins

    Zebre 0-0 Dragons

    Rhys Priestland
    Wales international fly-half on S4C

    The two teams have done incredibly well to reach this stage.

    Every time I look at the Dragons, they look like a team that has improved.

    I'm confident they can go through tonight because they have the talent and the structure.

  16. Postpublished at 3 mins

    Zebre 0-0 Dragons

    The first defensive test for Dragons and they pass it!

    Giacomo Da Re boots a penalty to the corner and after a line-out drive and several phases close to the line, Zebre are penalised for crossing in midfield.

    And breathe.

  17. Kick-offpublished at 1 min

    Zebre 0-0 Dragons

    Dragons players in a huddle pre-matchImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

    So, Giacomo Da Re gets us going in Parma and a huge night in the history of Dragons is underway.

    No messing around from Tinus de Beer there. He receives the kick-off and promptly clears his lines.

  18. 'Huge opportunity'published at 19:59 BST 11 April

    Zebre v Dragons (20:00 BST)

    Richie Rees
    Former Cardiff and Wales scrum-half on BBC Radio Wales

    If you are looking for an opponent in the quarter-final, you could not have asked for a better opponent than Zebre.

    It is a huge opportunity.

  19. Elsewhere in the quarter-finalspublished at 19:58 BST 11 April

    Zebre v Dragons (20:00 BST)

    Two of the four Challenge Cup quarter-finals have already been played.

    Ulster beat La Rochelle 41-24 last night, and Montpellier booked their place in the semi-finals with a 45-22 victory over Connacht this afternoon.

    The other last eight encounter away from our feature game tonight sees Benetton host Exeter Chiefs at Stadio Monigo on Sunday.

  20. View from the camppublished at 19:57 BST 11 April

    Zebre v Dragons (20:00 BST)

    Filo TiatiaImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

    Amid a period where Welsh rugby has been plagued by fall-outs and division, it was heartening to hear Filo Tiatia reveal Dragons have has the backing of their rivals this week.

    "It's pleasing to get messages from Steve Tandy, Jockey (Matt Sherratt) and Danny [Wilson], so they're pleased around all four regions trying to be better in competitions," said Tiatia.

    "We have had messages from the other coaches from the regions, so we're well connected and that's what we need."

    The New Zealander also promised his players will be prepared for battle tonight, but warned of any complacency against the only side below them in the URC.

    "The players are focused on going to Parma and have a scrap," he added.

    "They're a good side, especially at home. I played in Italy and understand how they think, but also when you go up against the challenge, they're up for it. So it's got to be a tough game playing over there but the boys are excited."