Stalwart O'Brien back at scene of Dragons breakthrough

Not many give Dragons a chance of a Challenge Cup upset at Stade Francais on Sunday, but the same was the case 12 years ago when co-captain Angus O'Brien enjoyed a breakthrough moment in Paris.

The Rodney Parade club have enjoyed some memorable moments in Europe – most notably quarter-final wins against Brive, Gloucester and Cardiff – and a surprise 38-22 success at Stade Jean Bouin is among the highlights.

Filo Tiatia's side return to Paris on Sunday in the last 16 of the tournament to face a Stade Francais side who are third in the Top 14 and won three of four Challenge Cup group games to be seeded fourth.

The hosts are overwhelming favourites, as they were on 18 October, 2014.

Yet Dragons caused an upset in a European campaign that ended with a semi-final defeat in Edinburgh.

Lyn Jones' side won in Paris thanks to tries by Richie Rees, Rhys Thomas, Hallam Amos and Nic Cudd plus 18 points from the boot of fly-half O'Brien at the age of 20.

"They are similar circumstances in that the expectation on us as a group is just from within the circle," said O'Brien, who starts at full-back this weekend.

"We've got to take belief from that fact that we have been out there and won before and there are few members of the team from back then still involved now.

"We've got to really believe that we can get a result."

O'Brien made just his second start for Dragons in the 2014 success and was given the responsibility of pulling the strings in strange circumstances.

Jason Tovey, the club's record point scorer, was unable to feature after leaving his passport in a pocket and putting it through the wash.

That led to O'Brien - who was close to a Wales call-up for 2026 Six Nations - getting his big shot in between experienced scrum-half Richie Rees and stalwart centre Ashley Smith.

"It was my first season being in the senior environment," said O'Brien, who finished with former South Africa fly-half Morne Steyn as his opposite number.

"I was a young kid and I suppose it gave me confidence because it was a great experience. I'd only really played for Cross Keys before that so to have a start out at Stade Francais and get a win out there was massive."

Stade, who are third in the Top 14, have rotated their squad for the fixture against Dragons but boast formidable depth and will expect to earn a home quarter-final against either Zebre or Pau.

However, Dragons have been a tougher nut to crack this season and go into the fixture fresh from spirited showings against Stormers and Lions in South Africa.

"They're a very good team and are going really well in the Top 14 but it's an exciting challenge we are all looking forward to," said O'Brien, who passed 500 points for the club last weekend.

"They are very dangerous and a good attacking outfit but it's an exciting opportunity in the knockout stage and we are ready to get after it."