Pro 12: NG Dragons 23-14 Aironi

Dragons' Michael Poole outjumps the Aironi defence to claim high ball

Newport Gwent Dragons scored two tries as they recorded their first RaboDirect Pro12 win of the season.

Tom Riley crossed for the first after four minutes, and Jason Tovey's kicks opened up a 13-3 half-time lead.

Aironi closed to within two points through a Josh Furno try and two penalties from Naas Olivier.

Andrew Coombs calmed home nerves with a converted try, and although Olivier's kick closed the gap, Matthew Jones' penalty took the Dragons clear again.

The victory came at a significant cost to the home side, though, who will be down to the bare bones for Friday's visit to Connacht.

Backs Riley (dead leg), Wayne Evans (groin), Mike Poole (shoulder) and Adam Hughes (neck) all left the field injured and are extremely doubtful for the trip to Ireland.

Poole's shoulder injury is of greatest concern, with the winger facing surgery.

With Ashley Smith, Jamie Smith and Will Harries already sidelined, and Aled Brew on World Cup duty, the Dragons will have to turn to academy or club players to supplement the squad to face Connacht.

Teams

Dragons: Martyn Thomas; Adam Hughes, Tom Riley, Pat Leach, Mike Poole; Jason Tovey, Wayne Evans; Phil Price, Tom Willis, Dan Way, Adam Jones, Rob Sidoli, Lewis Evans, Gavin Thomas, Andrew Coombs.

Replacements: Rhys Buckley, Nathan Williams, Nathan Buck, Darren Waters, Jevon Groves, Joe Bedford, Matthew Jones, Matthew Pewtner.

Aironi: Ruggero Trevisan; Sinoti Sinoti, Gilberto Pavan, Gabriel Pizarro, Giovanbattista Venditti; Naas Olivier, Tito Tebaldi; Matias Aguero, Roberto Santamaria (capt), Fabio Staibano, Joshua Furno, George Biagi, Frans Viljoen, Nicola Cattina, Nick Williams.

Replacements: Davide Giazzon, Alberto De Marchi, Lorenzo Romano, Josh Sole, Simone Favaro, Tyson Keats, Alberto Benettin, Riccardo Pavan.

Referee: Leo Colgan (IRFU)

Assistant Referees: Phil Fear, Phil Connett (WRU)

Citing Commissioner: Gwyn Bowden (WRU)

TMO: Tony Rowlands (WRU)