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Summary

  • Challenge Cup pool matches - round three of four

  • Cai Evans kicks 12 points before Jared Rosser's second-half try.

  • Scarlets lose 38-17 at Clermont Auvergne after Johnny Williams' early red card

  • Steff Evans & Kieran Hardy score second-half tries.

  • Wales pair Sam Costelow & Josh Macleod off injured in defeat.

  1. That's all for nowpublished at 17:12 Greenwich Mean Time 13 January

    Thanks for joining us for today's double whammy where we saw Challenge Cup defeats for both Scarlets and Dragons away from home.

    We'll be back later with Champions Cup action as Cardiff host Harlequins at a sell-out Cardiff Arms Park.

    Kick off is at 20:00 GMT

    Do join us then.

  2. Full-timepublished at 17:00 Greenwich Mean Time 13 January

    Zebre 20-17 Dragons

    Zebre win!

    Dragons had built up a 12-0 lead through four Cai Evans penalties but Zebre battled back with two tries from player-of-the-match Simone Gesi.

    There was a late try from Dragons wing Jared Rosser but the visitors could not regain the lead.

    Zebre and Dragons have switched places in Pool 1 with the Welsh side now fourth and the Italians third.

    Dragons will now probably have to win against Sharks next Sunday in their final group game to hope for a Challenge Cup last 16 place.

    Simone Gesi of Zebre scores a tryImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
  3. Postpublished at 77 mins

    Zebre 20-17 Dragons

    Dragons had forced a scrum under their own posts but replacement scrum-half Dane Blacker was forced into touch in his own 22.

    Zebre closing in on victory now?

  4. Postpublished at 72 mins

    Zebre 20-17 Dragons

    Dragons have been trying to get out of their own half but Zebre have strangled them and just gained a vital penalty.

    Dragons will do well to win it from here.

  5. Power playspublished at 65 mins

    Zebre 20-17 Dragons

    Italy prop Danilo Fischetti is having a major influence on this game with some powerful ball-carrying exploits for the hosts. Dragons are struggling to contain him.

  6. Latest scorespublished at 16:44 Greenwich Mean Time 13 January

    Some latest scores to bring you from elsewhere...

    Investec Champions Cup

    Bristol 7-17 Bulls

    Toulon 18-29 Munster

    European Challenge Cup

    Zebre 20-17 Dragons

    Castres 21-6 Black Lion

  7. try

    Try: Zebre 20-17 Dragonspublished at 59 mins

    Jared Rosser

    Momentum now back with Dragons after some inspired play from wing Jared Rosser and replacement scrum-half Dane Blacker.

    Rosser collected a pinpoint kick from Blacker to score in the corner. There was a juggle in an expert finish from Rosser.

    Three points in it now

  8. Bad misspublished at 56 mins

    Zebre 20-12 Dragons

    Dragons full-back Cai Evans had a 100% record in the first half with four penalties but misses with an simple effort in the second half.

    All momentum is with Zebre.

  9. converted try

    Try: Zebre 20-12 Dragonspublished at 53 mins

    Simone Gesi Cons: Giovanni Montemauri

    This game has turned on its head at the start of the second half with two tries for Zebre as wing Gesi grabs his second.

    Dragons now trail by eight points and they have rung the changes with four replacements. Dane Blacker, Ollie Griffiths, Chris Coleman and Bradley Roberts replace Rhodri Williams, Dan Lydiate, Luke Yendle and James Benjamin.

    Giovanni Montemauri congratulates Simone Gesi of ZebreImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
  10. Replacementpublished at 47 mins

    Zebre 15-12 Dragons

    Dragons second row Matthew Screech comes on for George Nott as head coach Dai Flanagan aims to steady the ship.

  11. try

    Converted Try: Zebre 15-12 Dragonspublished at 45 mins

    Iacopo Bianchi Con: Giovanni Montemauri

    The bravery of the home side pays off as Zebre flanker Iacopo Bianchi crosses for a converted try as the hosts take the lead for the first time.

    Zebre turned down a kick at goal to rely on their driving lineout and it proved the right decision.

  12. Second half beginspublished at 41 mins

    Zebre 8-12 Dragons

    Right we are underway again in the second half.

    Dragons will try and hang onto this lead after Zebre battled back in the first 40 minutes.

  13. In case you missed itpublished at 16:13 Greenwich Mean Time 13 January

    A reminder that 14-man Scarlets were defeated 38-17 out in Clermont Auvergne in the earlier kick-off to heap more misery onto the struggling Welsh region.

    Johnny Williams was sent off in the 26th minute, while Sam Costelow and Josh Macloed are injury worries.

    Read the match report here.

    Scarlets now need a miracle for their European season to continue.

    They play Edinburgh in their final group game next Friday but it’ll be over this afternoon if either Castres or Black Lion get a losing bonus point in their game or Edinburgh beat Gloucester at 17:30.

    Ryan Elias takes the ball up for ScarletsImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
  14. Latest scorespublished at 16:05 Greenwich Mean Time 13 January

    Some latest scores to bring you from elsewhere...

    Investec Champions Cup

    Bristol 7-10 Bulls

    Toulon 13-17 Munster HT

    European Challenge Cup

    Zebre 8-12 Dragons HT

    Castres 7-3 Black Lion HT

  15. Half-timepublished at 15:59 Greenwich Mean Time 13 January

    Zebre 8-12 Dragons

    Dragons full-back Cai Evans ensured the visitors controlled the first quarter with four penalties before the Zebre fightback.

    Wing Simone Gesi scored a try while fly-half Giovanni Montemauri added a penalty to ensure the deficit was just four points at half-time.

    All to play for in the second half.

    Lorenzo Pani of Zebre is tackled by Sean Lonsdale of DragonImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
  16. Penalty: Zebre 8-12 Dragonspublished at 35 mins

    Giovanni Montemauri

    Zebre are coming back into this game and decide to slot over a penalty in front of the posts after a period of pressure in the Dragons 22.

  17. try

    Try: Zebre 5-12 Dragonspublished at 27 mins

    Simone Gesi

    Zebre have been rocked back by the boot of Cai Evans but respond in style with a try from wing Simone Gesi.

    The Italian hosts are back in this game.

  18. Penalty: Zebre 0-12 Dragonspublished at 23 mins

    Cai Evans

    The Dragons full-back has done it again. This is a wonderful exhibition of goal-kicking from Cai Evans with a fourth successive penalty.

    Wales coach Warren Gatland is looking for a goal-kicker following the international retirement of Dan Biggar and Leigh Halfpenny. Just saying.

  19. Penalty: Zebre 0-9 Dragonspublished at 16 mins

    Cai Evans

    Another long-range effort from Cai Evans, this time from just inside his own half.

    Three attempts and three successful kicks at goal as the Dragons full-back continues to punish Zebre indiscipine.

  20. Penalty: Zebre 0-6 Dragonspublished at 13 mins

    Cai Evans

    Full-back Cai Evans strikes the ball much more sweetly on this occasion and doubles the Dragons' lead with his second penalty.

    Good start from Dai Flanagan's side.