Bulls power past Dragons to boost URC play-offs bid

Bulls power past Dragons to boost URC play-offs bidImage source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyImage caption, Bulls hooker Johan Grobbelaar scored his eighth try of the season in NewportByChris KirwanBBC Sport WalesPublished16 April 20263 CommentsUpdated 30 minutes agoUnited Rugby ChampionshipDragons (7) 7Try: Inisi Con: C EvansBulls (12) 47Tries: Papier, Grobbelaar, Coetzee, Van Staden 2, D Williams, Petersen Cons: Pollard 3, Kriel 3Dragons were brought back down to earth after their European exploits as Bulls strengthened their bid for the United Rugby Championship (URC) play-offs.The South Africans moved from eighth to fifth in the table thanks to a seven-try 47-7 victory against the Challenge Cup semi-finalists in Newport.Bulls led 12-7 at half-time thanks to tries by scrum-half Embrose Papier and hooker Johan Grobbelaar either side of a super score by Dragons centre Fine Inisi.Flanker Marcell Coetzee went over soon after the restart, before replacement hooker Marco van Staden secured the four-try bonus in the 57th minute.Bulls then twisted the knife late on with Van Staden's second and scores by Devon Williams and Sergeal Petersen.Dragons went into the fixture in high spirits thanks to a five-game unbeaten run on home soil and Challenge Cup wins at Stade Francais and Zebre.However, the visiting play-off hopefuls started as strong favourites and had too much for Filo Tiatia's side, whose priority is now the 3 May European semi-final in Montpellier.Patchell to join Pivac's Benetton coaching staffPublished2 days agoDragons' semi-final dedicated to Gwent and WalesPublished5 days agoDragons, in their first home fixture since the February draw with Benetton, opted to rotate their squad after their European exertions.The key trio of Wales forwards Aaron Wainwright and Ben Carter plus co-captain Angus O'Brien were given a breather.Dragons return to Zebre next weekend, presenting Tiatia with a selection dilemma.They will hunt a first league away win s...