The emotional Dragons reaction as chance at silverware goes begging

Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia was frustrated that his side did not make more of their opportunities in an 18-12 defeat by Montpellier in the Challenge Cup semi-finals.

Montpellier will face Ulster in the final in three weeks’ time, but the Top 14 title challengers were subjected to a tense finish at Septeo Stadium after Aneurin Owen scored the second of his two tries in the 73rd minute.

The Welsh region lacked the composure to add to Owen’s pair of touchdowns, including in the closing stages when they threatened to complete the upset.

“A lot of disappointment,” Tiatia told Premier Sports.

“It was a ‘could have, should have’ type of game and we left a lot of points out on the field. We were disappointed with the outcome.

“Our next game is our last home and we’ve got a lot of milestones to celebrate and there are some people who won’t be here next season.

“We want to finish the season strong, not just for our group but also our fans. That’s important to us.”

Dragons co-captain Angus O’Brien was proud at how close his team had gone against the side positioned third in the Top 14.

“It was an unbelievable effort by the boys and we’re gutted not to come away with the result,” O’Brien told S4C.

“To come out here and have an opportunity to win the game is testament to where we have come as a group this season.

“We have to use that as fuel to kick on from here, but I’m gutted we didn’t get the result.”

Montpellier Herault Rugby: 15. Tom Banks, 14. Donovan Taofifenua, 13. Auguste Cadot, 12. Lennox Anyanwu, 11. Melvyn Rates, 10. Thomas Vincent, 9. Alexis Bernadet, 1. Baptiste Erdocio, 2. Ricky Riccitelli, 3. Valentin Welsch, 4. Adam Beard, 5. Tyler DuGuid, 6. Marco Tauleigne, 7. Alex Becognee, 8. Lenni Nouchi (c)

Replacements: 16. Lyam Akrab, 17. Nika Abuladze, 18. Mohamed Haouas, 19. Yacouba Camara, 20. Alex Masibaka, 21. Tom Baraer, 22. Domingo Miotti, 23. Thomas Darmon

Dragons RFC: 15. Angus O’Brien (c), 14. Dai Richards, 13. Fine Inisi, 12. Aneurin Owen, 11. Rio Dyer, 10. Tinus de Beer, 9. Niall Armstrong, 1. Rodrigo Martinez, 2. Elliot Dee, 3. Christian Coleman, 4. Levi Douglas, 5. Ben Carter (c), 6. Ryan Woodman, 7. Thomas Young, 8. Aaron Wainwright

Replacements: 16. Brodie Coghlan, 17. Wyn Jones, 18. Dillon Lewis, 19. Seb Davies, 20. Harrison Keddie, 21. Jac Lloyd, 22. Fetuli Paea, 23. Huw Anderson