Dragons end losing run, Munster thump Zebre

The Dragons ended a four-match losing run to climb off the foot of Pro14 Conference B with an 18-12 victory over Edinburgh at Rodney Parade on Sunday.

The Newport-based region were without a win since defeating Zebre in September and playing the first game of coach Bernard Jackman's stadium ban for his criticism of referee Ian Davies last month.

However, the Dragons benefited from two Jared Rosser tries to claim a valuable four points in Jackman's absence.

Rosser crossed for his first in the 23rd minute after Jason Tovey had opened the scoring from the tee, and the Dragons took a 10-5 lead into half-time, with Dougie Fife touching down for the visitors shortly before the interval.

The hosts stretched their advantage to 18-5 when Rosser doubled his tally and the Welsh side staved off a brief Edinburgh revival to wrap up the win.

The result lifts the Dragons above Southern Kings at the bottom of Conference B, while Edinburgh remain fourth.

The Kings were earlier beaten 31-14 by Connacht, who moved above Cardiff Blues and the Ospreys into third in Conference A.

A second-half try from Paul Boyle secured the bonus point for the Irish province, whose second away win of the season consigned the Kings to an eighth defeat from their nine matches this campaign.

Connacht now sit four points behind second-placed Munster, who stormed to a 32-7 victory at Zebre.

Fineen Wycherley, Kevin O'Byrne, Ronan O'Mahony and Rory Scannell all touched down in a performance that saw the visitors leading 17-0 at half-time.

The result cuts the gap to leaders Glasgow Warriors down to eight points.