Dragons RFC Archives - SportsNewsIreland https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/tag/dragons-rfc Sports News, Live GAA scores, GAA fixtures Wed, 26 Nov 2025 11:02:39 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://i0.wp.com/www.sportsnewsireland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/sni-icon.jpg?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Dragons RFC Archives - SportsNewsIreland https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/tag/dragons-rfc 32 32 229439223 Dragons RFC v Leinster Rugby – Full Stats Preview, Team News & Betting https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/rugby/rugby_irish/dragons-rfc-v-leinster-rugby-full-stats-preview-team-news-betting https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/rugby/rugby_irish/dragons-rfc-v-leinster-rugby-full-stats-preview-team-news-betting#respond Wed, 26 Nov 2025 11:02:39 +0000 https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/?p=34973 Dragons RFC v Leinster Rugby – Full Stats Preview, Team News & Betting Date: Friday, 28 November 2025 Venue: Rodney Parade, Newport Kick-off: 19:45 (IRE/UK) | 20:45 (ITA) | 21:45 (SA) Live on: Premier Sports, TG4, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv Match Officials Referee: Morne Ferreira (SARU) – 19th URC appearance AR 1: Craig Evans […]

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]]> Dragons RFC v Leinster Rugby – Full Stats Preview, Team News & Betting

Date: Friday, 28 November 2025
Venue: Rodney Parade, Newport
Kick-off: 19:45 (IRE/UK) | 20:45 (ITA) | 21:45 (SA)
Live on: Premier Sports, TG4, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Match Officials

  • Referee: Morne Ferreira (SARU) – 19th URC appearance
  • AR 1: Craig Evans (WRU)
  • AR 2: Lucas Yendle (WRU)
  • TMO: Chris Allison (SARU)

Overview

Leinster travel to Rodney Parade as 20-point favourites, with the form guide, scoring trends and defensive numbers all pointing strongly in their direction. Dragons remain winless after five rounds and are conceding over 30 points per match, while Leinster’s attack has exploded into life in recent weeks with 81 points scored in their last two fixtures.

Despite missing several Ireland internationals through injury, Leinster’s depth remains one of the strongest in the competition and they arrive in Newport seeking a third win of the season.

Dragons RFC – 2025/26 Season Results

Match Score Result
Ulster v Dragons 42–21 Loss
Dragons v Sharks 17–17 Draw
Glasgow v Dragons 49–0 Loss
Dragons v Cardiff 17–24 Loss
Dragons v Ospreys 19–19 Draw

Record: P5 | W0 | D2 | L3
Points For: 74 | Points Against: 151
Average Score: Dragons 14.8 – 30.2 Opponents
Points Difference: –77

Key Dragons Trends

  • Conceded 42, 49 and 24 points in three losses.
  • Have yet to win a match this season.
  • Scored between 17–21 points in every game except the Glasgow result.
  • Defence statistically weakest in the URC after five rounds.

Leinster Rugby – 2025/26 Season Results

Match Score Result
Stormers v Leinster 35–0 Loss
Bulls v Leinster 39–31 Loss
Leinster v Sharks 31–5 Win
Leinster v Munster 14–31 Loss
Leinster v Zebre 50–26 Win

Record: P5 | W2 | L3
Points For: 126 | Points Against: 136
Average Score: Leinster 25.2 – 27.2 Opponents
Points Difference: –10

Key Leinster Trends

  • Scored 31, 31 and 50 points in three of their last four matches.
  • Attack improving significantly across the last two rounds.
  • Bench impact continues to be a major strength.
  • Defence inconsistent but improving at scrum and maul.

Leinster Injury Update

  • Tommy O’Brien: GRTP protocols – unavailable.
  • Ryan Baird: Leg injury – out up to 3 months.
  • Will Connors: Arm injury – out for several weeks.
  • Robbie Henshaw: Hamstring rehab – still unavailable.
  • Jamie Osborne: Shoulder injury – out up to 4 months.
  • James Culhane: Knee injury – out for next few months.

Head-to-Head (URC)

Season Fixture Score
2020/21 Dragons v Leinster 29–35
2022/23 Dragons v Leinster 10–43
2023/24 Dragons v Leinster 10–33
2024/25 Leinster v Dragons 34–6

Average Margin (last 4 meetings): Leinster by 22.5 points

Match Analysis

1. Leinster’s Power & Tempo v Dragons’ Defence

Dragons concede over 30 points per match and have already leaked 42, 49 and 24 this season. Leinster’s attack is trending upwards, making this a difficult matchup for the hosts.

2. Dragons’ Scoring Limits

Dragons have yet to score more than 21 points and were held to zero in Glasgow. Against a Leinster side that has recently rediscovered its attacking edge, that may not be enough to stay competitive.

3. Leinster’s Depth Advantage

Even with key injuries, Leinster’s second-string remains among the strongest units in the URC. Their set-piece dominance and bench impact should tilt the later stages heavily in their favour.

Betting Preview – Leinster –20

Why Leinster Are Favoured

  • Dragons winless in all five matches.
  • Dragons have conceded 151 points – the most in the league.
  • Leinster have won the last four head-to-heads by margins of 6, 33, 23 and 28.
  • Leinster scored 50 points last weekend.
  • Dragons have scored only 14–21 points in every game.

Recommended Bets

  • Leinster –20 Handicap
  • Leinster Winning Margin 21–30
  • Over Leinster 29.5 Points
  • Anytime Tryscorer: Harry Byrne, Jason Jenkins, Scott Penny
  • Dragons Under 17.5 Points

Prediction

Leinster 38–13 Dragons
Leinster’s attacking form, physical dominance and squad depth should be too much for a Dragons side struggling for confidence and defensive stability. Unless conditions are severe, Leinster should have enough to cover the handicap.

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]]> https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/rugby/rugby_irish/dragons-rfc-v-leinster-rugby-full-stats-preview-team-news-betting/feed 0 34973 Ulster v Dragons URC Preview, Teams & Betting Odds https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/rugby/rugby_irish/ulster-v-dragons-urc-preview-teams-betting-odds https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/rugby/rugby_irish/ulster-v-dragons-urc-preview-teams-betting-odds#respond Thu, 25 Sep 2025 11:28:21 +0000 https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/?p=34633 🏟️ Ulster v Dragons Line-Ups Named – Hume’s 100th Cap Headlines Friday Night Belfast Showdown Affidea Stadium, Belfast – Friday 26 September, 20:05 (IRE/UK) Live on: Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv Betting: Ulster -16.0 | Total Points ~46.5 ⚪ Ulster Starting XV 15. Michael Lowry 14. Zac Ward 13. James Hume 12. Stuart […]

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🏟 Ulster v Dragons Line-Ups Named – Hume’s 100th Cap Headlines Friday Night Belfast Showdown

Affidea Stadium, Belfast – Friday 26 September, 20:05 (IRE/UK)
Live on: Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Betting: Ulster -16.0 | Total Points ~46.5

⚪ Ulster Starting XV

15. Michael Lowry 14. Zac Ward 13. James Hume 12. Stuart McCloskey 11. Jacob Stockdale
10. Jack Murphy 9. Nathan Doak
1. Callum Reid 2. Rob Herring 3. Tom O’Toole 4. Iain Henderson (C) 5. Harry Sheridan 6. Cormac Izuchukwu 7. Nick Timoney 8. David McCann

Replacements: Tom Stewart, Sam Crean, Scott Wilson, Matthew Dalton, Juarno Augustus, Conor McKee, Jake Flannery, Ben Carson

🐉 Dragons RFC Starting XV

15. Angus O’Brien (CC) 14. Rio Dyer 13. Joe Westwood 12. Aneurin Owen 11. Jared Rosser
10. Tinus de Beer 9. Rhodri Williams
1. Wyn Jones 2. Elliot Dee 3. Rob Hunt 4. Matthew Screech 5. Ben Carter (CC) 6. Shane Lewis-Hughes 7. Harrison Keddie 8. Aaron Wainwright

Replacements: Brodie Coghlan, Rodrigo Martinez, Dillon Lewis, Levi Douglas, Mackenzie Martin, Che Hope, Fine Inisi, Huw Anderson

🗣 Quotes

Ulster Head Coach Richie Murphy: “The team are hungry and very focused. There is a good plan in place and we want to give our supporters something to cheer about on Friday night at Affidea Stadium.”

Dragons Head Coach Filo Tiatia: “We’re looking forward to going to Ulster, they’re a good side and they’ll be tough over there. They have a heavy pack and plenty of experience in midfield, but our players are excited for the challenge and ready to see where we are at.”

📉 Betting & Market Moves

The handicap opened -16.5 but has eased slightly to -16.0, with some support for Dragons to cover. Total points market is steady near 46–47, suggesting bookmakers expect a lively contest but not a blowout.

🔑 Key Talking Points

  • James Hume celebrates his 100th Ulster appearance, adding emotional motivation.
  • Dragons hand debuts to Wyn Jones, Rob Hunt and Tinus de Beer.
  • Ulster’s home record and strong pack give them a clear edge.

📝 Prediction

Ulster’s dominance at the breakdown and set piece should prove decisive, though Dragons may stay in touch early with Wainwright leading from the back row.

Verdict: Ulster by 10 points.

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