The Dragons have secured three of their seven wins this season in away matches.
The X account, aptly named “Did the Dragons lose?”, succinctly answers the question after each Dragons game with a simple yes or no.
Last season, the answer was overwhelmingly “yes,” with 17 defeats in 18 league games. However, this season has seen some memorable “no” responses, particularly in European competition.
Filo Tiatia’s improved squad is preparing for a Challenge Cup semi-final clash against Montpellier on Sunday (12:30 BST), with the aim of reaching the final for the first time in their history.
The Rodney Parade-based club previously reached the semi-finals of Europe’s second-tier tournament in 2007, 2015, and a decade ago, when they were defeated by their upcoming opponents.
The 2025-26 campaign started slowly, with the Dragons failing to secure a win until December. Their current overall record stands at seven wins, 12 losses, and three draws in 22 matches across all competitions.
The Dragons have not achieved seven wins in a season since the 2019-20 campaign, when Dean Ryan’s team celebrated nine victories and reached the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup.
Dragons’ semi-final dedicated to Gwent and Wales
Dragons beat Zebre to set up Montpellier semi-final
Key milestones this season include a five-match unbeaten home run and their first away league win in the URC in four years – their first outside Wales since October 2021.
This occurred when they defeated Zebre last weekend, marking their third consecutive away win, a rare feat in recent years.
While context is important, as the Dragons could still finish 15th out of 16 in the league and have lost more games than they’ve won, they have become more resilient.
They have secured victories in contests they previously would have lost, most notably the Challenge Cup last-16 tie against Stade Francais in Paris.
Wales number eight Aaron Wainwright has played in two World Cups
Former Dragons wing Ashton Hewitt emphasized the significance of the semi-final on BBC Scrum V’s “The Warm Up” program.
“Given all the criticism the Dragons have faced over the years for their performances, achievements like this bring a positive shift,” Hewitt stated.
“It’s beneficial for Welsh rugby as a whole, and it’s great that the Dragons are flying the flag for Wales.”
Overcoming the losing culture has been crucial. The win/loss record of Wales number eight Aaron Wainwright, who will join Leicester next season, exemplifies the recent challenges.
Since his debut in 2017, Wainwright has a record of 33 wins, 95 defeats, and seven draws in 135 games for the Dragons. Six of those wins have come this season.
Co-captain Ben Carter shares the same number of victories this campaign, with an overall record of 19 wins in 80 games played.
“I remember being in the changing rooms after a few results we could have won, but we let slip or lost for whatever reason,” Carter recalled.
“The confidence within the group now is that we can turn those tight games into wins.”
Tiatia prefers to focus on the future rather than dwell on the past.
“The past is the past,” the head coach stated. “I’m excited, I love the group and the players, coaches, and staff. I love Rodney Parade and the fans, and I’ve been welcomed with open arms.”
“We’ve made a few changes in terms of where we’re trying to head.”
“We’ve got a lot of work to do, but we’re moving in the right direction, and they are good people to work with.”
“For this group, it’s about trying to stay grounded, knowing we’re representing ourselves, but also our Gwent community.”
Filo Tiatia initially joined the Dragons as a defense coach before taking over as head coach when Dai Flanagan departed in the 2024-25 season.
Tiatia has been instrumental in the team’s resurgence.
While he typically maintains a reserved public demeanor, a rare glimpse of his celebratory leadership was captured during the quarter-final win against Zebre in Italy.
“The huddle is a personal thing, and it was great that it was captured on screen. I was so proud of the players,” Tiatia said.
Former Wales fly-half James Hook, who played with Tiatia at Ospreys, described him as “an animal on the field and your nan’s favorite off it.”
“You don’t see everything of me, maybe you see some of the little bits,” Tiatia remarked.
“What I give you is what I give you. When I’m watching the game, I’m not overly emotional, but people who know me, know the true me.”
Tiatia is in his first full season as head coach and believes that getting to know the players has been a key factor in the team’s turnaround.
“One of the biggest things is around care for one another,” Tiatia emphasized.
“Players and staff understanding each other on a deeper level, not just surface level, actually bone-deep.”
“Understanding it’s people first and then understanding the player. That’s been a big shift, not just trying to get the best out of them but also having players take responsibility.”
Tiatia elaborated on what he meant by “bone-deep,” offering a revealing explanation.
“Surface level is knowing people by face and respectfully saying hello,” Tiatia explained.
“On a deeper level, I will introduce myself to you and tell you where I’m from.”
“I’m from Wellington. I’m Samoan. My first language isn’t English, it was Samoan, I speak Japanese. I speak a little Italian.”
“I’m a learner, I’m an introvert, I’m a trained extrovert. When I’m stressed I’ll be quiet.”
“When I’m quiet, I’m thinking about my family first and foremost.”
“I was taught from my parents very early on that gratitude is one of the biggest strengths. You understand what you have and you’re grateful for it.”
“Those are things I would share at a bone-deep level. We then have a deeper understanding about each other, about our morals and values.”
“Also the mistakes I’ve made as a young person is something I can now relate to with the group.”
“I don’t want the players to make the same mistakes, and they’re becoming the best version of themselves. So it’s not just coaching. It’s holistic growth.”
The Warm Up: ‘Your nan’s favourite’
Tiatia is adamant that discussions of the Dragons’ revival should not center on him, following suggestions that he had “dragged the group up.”
“I wouldn’t say that, it’s a collective effort, not just one person,” Tiatia insisted.
“It’s probably the big change from last season, trying to understand who we are and how we’re moving forward together.”
Tiatia has praised the leadership group, with co-captains Carter and Angus O’Brien supported by Aneurin Owen and Harrison Keddie.
Wales flanker Thomas Young is also part of this group, alongside an improved recruitment strategy.
This includes fellow Wales forwards Wyn Jones, Dillon Lewis, and Seb Davies, South African duo Tinus de Beer and Rob Hunt, and Tongan pair Fine Inisi and Fetuli Paea.
“The leadership group I’ve worked with has been outstanding,” Tiatia said.
“They have challenged the group, because you can only get better with challenge, and players have taken responsibility.”
“The coaches have been excellent with the players they mentor and how they shape things.”
“Hobbsy (Sam Hobbs) has been great with the forward pack, and Matt O’Brien has been working well with the backs.”
“They’re moving in the right direction and good men to work with.”
Dale Macleod previously worked with Filo Tiatia in Super Rugby, assisting Moana Pasifika and worked with Tonga during the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Tiatia has also been joined in his backroom staff by Dale MacLeod, whom he knew from New Zealand.
MacLeod and former Wales flanker Dan Lydiate have helped shore up the Dragons’ defense.
They conceded 637 points in the URC last season, compared to 422 this season, with two games remaining.
“Filo has done a good job with the leadership group, and the players have grown,” MacLeod said.
“When I arrived, I learned a lot about how the boys interact and go about their business.”
“A lot of them have been through the wringer in the past couple of years. They have learned from those situations.”
Despite Montpellier being the clear favorites this weekend, MacLeod believes the Dragons can achieve the biggest win in their 23-year history.
“There is no reason why we can’t go there and do it,” MacLeod added.
“We are under no illusions that it’s going to take our best effort of the year. They are one of the best teams in Europe, but I back the boys to go and give it a good crack.”
“This is what a semi-final is about.”
“People question whether we deserve to be there. We would say yes, other people might feel different.”
“We’re going there with the right attitude, not to make up the numbers. We’re going there to win.”
These are strong sentiments. We await the latest answer from the “Did the Dragons lose?” account on Sunday afternoon.