Ospreys secured a thrilling 19-13 victory over Dragons in the United Rugby Championship at Electric Brewery Field, thanks to Keelan Giles' 80th-minute winner. The Ospreys, who were boosted by Wales releasing Morgan-Williams and loose-head prop Gareth Thomas, showed their spirit and resilience in a tumultuous season for Welsh rugby.
The game was marked by significant injury news for both teams, with Dragons losing influential South African tight-head Rob Hunt and Dragons' former Wales loose-head Wyn Jones going off in the 12th minute. Ospreys also suffered an early setback when Gareth Thomas suffered a calf injury at the start of December, but the hosts were able to adapt.
Ferocious defence was the winner in the opening quarter, with both sides failing to get off the mark after kicking penalties to the corner. Dragons eventually made pressure count in the 18th minute when De Beer went through a gap for a try that Angus O'Brien converted.
The visitors failed to extend their lead despite being on top and paid the price on 32 minutes when Morgan-Williams sniped under the posts from a ruck, Jack Walsh levelling from the tee. In-form wing Rio Dyer was twice denied down the left corner as Dragons tried to respond, with the score remaining level at the break.
O'Brien knocked over a pair of penalties either side of a bout of defence to put the visitors 13-7 up approaching the hour. Ospreys opted against calling for the tee from penalties but found Dragons' strong defence and big clearing boot of O'Brien a tough nut to crack as the rain lashed down.
Dragons were reduced to 14 men for the finish when Dlamini was yellow-carded for a high tackle on Harri Houston in the 73rd minute. Ospreys kicked to the corner, with Lewis Lloyd going over from the driving line-out only for Walsh to pull the conversion.
However, that proved crucial as Ospreys hit the front for the first time when it mattered by working Giles clear and his pace from close-range did the rest. The hosts' victory lifted them to eighth in the URC and denied Dragons their first URC away win since 2022.
Ospreys were boosted by the return of Wales scrum-half Morgan-Williams, who played a key role in their dramatic comeback, while Dragons were left to ponder what might have been after falling short once again.
The game was marked by significant injury news for both teams, with Dragons losing influential South African tight-head Rob Hunt and Dragons' former Wales loose-head Wyn Jones going off in the 12th minute. Ospreys also suffered an early setback when Gareth Thomas suffered a calf injury at the start of December, but the hosts were able to adapt.
Ferocious defence was the winner in the opening quarter, with both sides failing to get off the mark after kicking penalties to the corner. Dragons eventually made pressure count in the 18th minute when De Beer went through a gap for a try that Angus O'Brien converted.
The visitors failed to extend their lead despite being on top and paid the price on 32 minutes when Morgan-Williams sniped under the posts from a ruck, Jack Walsh levelling from the tee. In-form wing Rio Dyer was twice denied down the left corner as Dragons tried to respond, with the score remaining level at the break.
O'Brien knocked over a pair of penalties either side of a bout of defence to put the visitors 13-7 up approaching the hour. Ospreys opted against calling for the tee from penalties but found Dragons' strong defence and big clearing boot of O'Brien a tough nut to crack as the rain lashed down.
Dragons were reduced to 14 men for the finish when Dlamini was yellow-carded for a high tackle on Harri Houston in the 73rd minute. Ospreys kicked to the corner, with Lewis Lloyd going over from the driving line-out only for Walsh to pull the conversion.
However, that proved crucial as Ospreys hit the front for the first time when it mattered by working Giles clear and his pace from close-range did the rest. The hosts' victory lifted them to eighth in the URC and denied Dragons their first URC away win since 2022.
Ospreys were boosted by the return of Wales scrum-half Morgan-Williams, who played a key role in their dramatic comeback, while Dragons were left to ponder what might have been after falling short once again.
this game was like 180 degrees swing from one end to the other - you feel for dragons when they're down 7-0 and then go up to lead but couldn't hold on 
meanwhile ospreys had to deal with their own injuries and setbacks still managed to turn it around... what does that say about resilience?
i'm loving the new wales players too, especially morgan-williams he's got some serious skills! what do u think about dragons struggling so much? is it just a bad season or did they have something else going on?
I'm telling ya, Ospreys totally deserved that win! They showed so much heart and resilience, especially with all those injuries they'd suffered. And what a game by Keelan Giles at the end - what a strike! 
The fact that Dragons were down to 14 men for most of the last quarter only made it sweeter for Ospreys. I'm loving how this season is shaping up for them. Wales releasing Morgan-Williams was a masterstroke, and Gareth Thomas's calf injury just gave them an excuse to give their squad some fresh legs. They played like they had nothing to lose, which was the right attitude! 
I mean, it's crazy how much of an impact Morgan-Williams and Gareth Thomas can make on a team - it's like they're two peas in a pod or something! 
The way Wales released them to boost their squad definitely paid off. But seriously, Dragons just couldn't seem to get anything going when they were down by 10 points... that last try by Lewis Lloyd was just a consolation effort at this point, right? 
Anyway, it's always great to see teams fight back and show some grit - both Ospreys and Dragons have definitely shown that they're not ones to give up easily! 
they had that try from de beer and it's like they just couldn't capitalize on it afterwards... and ospreys gotta give it up for giles who scored that last minute winner 
! The fact that Ospreys adapted so well after losing Gareth Thomas is also super impressive... they showed a lot of heart and resilience, especially with all the setbacks they've had this season 
. Can't wait to see what they do next! 
I gotta say, Ospreys showed so much heart and grit out there tonight! 
Giles' winner was insane, what a pace he's got 
! And that Morgan-Williams kid is a game-changer, Wales made the right call bringing him back. Dragons had all the chances but just couldn't capitalize 
. They gotta regroup and come back stronger next week 
. The URC is heating up, can't wait to see what's in store for these teams! 
! That 80th-minute winner from Keelan Giles was just a fluke, and they were way past their limit without Gareth Thomas for that long time 
. I mean, Dragons had them on the ropes after all those penalties, but Ospreys just couldn't get anything going 
. And don't even get me started on Wales releasing Morgan-Williams – what a ridiculous decision! 
! And can we talk about Keelan Giles for a sec? What. A. Finish 
80th minute winner, pure class! I mean, I know it's rugby and all that, but come on, that try was like a work of art 
! The Ospreys' adaptability in the face of adversity is also super inspiring 
, especially with Gareth Thomas missing out due to injury. The Dragons just couldn't seem to get their act together 
. Keelan Giles' 80th-minute winner was pure magic 
. And can we talk about Morgan-Williams? He's been missing for so long, but he really made a difference when he returned