Play-off hopefuls Bulls climb to fifth in the United Rugby Championship by beating Dragons 47-7 in Newport.

Bulls hooker Johan Grobbelaar scored his eighth try of the season in Newport [Huw Evans Picture Agency]United Rugby ChampionshipDragons (7) 7Try: Inisi Con: C EvansBulls (12) 47Tries: Papier, Grobbelaar, Coetzee, Van Staden 2, D Williams, Petersen Cons: Pollard 3, Kriel 3Dragons were brought back down to earth after their European exploits as Bulls strengthened their bid for the United Rugby Championship (URC) play-offs.The South Africans moved from eighth to fifth in the table thanks to a seven-try 47-7 victory against the Challenge Cup semi-finalists in Newport.Bulls led 12-7 at half-time thanks to tries by scrum-half Embrose Papier and hooker Johan Grobbelaar either side of a super score by Dragons centre Fine Inisi.Flanker Marcell Coetzee went over soon after the restart, before replacement hooker Marco van Staden secured the four-try bonus in the 57th minute.Bulls then twisted the knife late on with Van Staden's second and scores by Devon Williams and Sergeal Petersen.Dragons went into the fixture in high spirits thanks to a five-game unbeaten run on home soil and Challenge Cup wins at Stade Francais and Zebre.However, the visiting play-off hopefuls started as strong favourites and had too much for Filo Tiatia's side, whose priority is now the 3 May European semi-final in Montpellier.Patchell to join Pivac's Benetton coaching staffDragons' semi-final dedicated to Gwent and WalesDragons, in their first home fixture since the February draw with Benetton, opted to rotate their squad after their European exertions.The key trio of Wales forwards Aaron Wainwright and Ben Carter plus co-captain Angus O'Brien were given a breather.Dragons return to Zebre next weekend, presenting Tiatia with a selection dilemma.They will hunt a first league away win since 2022 - and first outside Wales since 2021 - but must be cautious ahead of Montpellier.Bulls, meanwhile, only have eyes for the URC and travelled fully loaded with the desire to claim 10 points from their Welsh tour, with a trip to Scarlets next up.Papier opened the scoring in the 11th minute after a dominant scrum but Dragons responded well, dominating territory and going toe-to-toe with their physical visitors.They got their reward when a strike play from a solid set-piece led to Tonga centre Inisi bursting through a hole in midfield for a leveller.Double World Cup winner Handre Pollard struck the right post with a penalty as half-time approached - a sign of respect for Dragons' efforts - but Grobbelaar peeled off a line-out drive to make it 12-7 at the break.Bulls restarted with an uncompromising approach and soon got their third try from close range when captain Coetzee went over, with a swift response from a lot further out by Dragons wing Jared Rosser chalked off for a knock-on in the build-up.That would have made it a one-score game again but the South Africans got the job done when Van Staden smashed over from a quick tap approaching the hour.The hooker wriggled over for a second and then full-back Williams and replacement back Sergeal Petersen went over past a weary defence.Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia said: "We conceded 15 penalties and 12 turnovers, couldn't apply pressure and left a lot of points on the field."There were good moments when we applied pressure, we just didn't do it enough."We've got to go again and we've got to be better. How we shift forward for next week is really important and after watching that game there might be a few changes."How they lined upDragons: C Evans; Rosser, Inisi, Paea, Dyer; De Beer, Armstrong; W Jones, Dee, Coleman, Douglas, S Davies, Woodman, Beddall, Keddie (capt).Replacements: Burrows, R Jones, D Lewis, Screech, Young, M Lloyd, Ackerman, Anderson.Bulls: D Williams; Kriel, Gans, Vorster, Moodie; Pollard, Papier; Steenekamp, Grobbelaar, Klopper, Wiese, Nortje, Coetzee (capt), Louw, Hanekom.Replacements: Van Staden, Wessels, M Smith, Vermaak, Gumede, De Wet, W le Roux, Petersen.Referee: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)Assistant referees: Ben Breakspear (Wales), Lucas Yendle (Wales)TMO: Colin Brett (Scotland)