Newport Gwent Dragons were edged out by Castres Olympique 32-29 in a thrilling European tie but still claimed what could prove an important bonus-point.

Carl Meyer and Elliott Dee both crossed in a wonderful second half display.

And Meyer’s boot along with that of Dorian Jones made sure Dragons did not leave Stade Pierre Antoine empty-handed.

Dragons almost clinched a remarkable victory given they were hit by an 11th hour injury.

Director of rugby Lyn Jones was forced to draft captain Rynard Landman, a lock by trade, as an emergency No8 after Ed Jackson, impressive against Sale Sharks, pulled up with a hip injury during the warm up. Dragons were already without Taulupe Faletau with a knee injury.

Yet Dragons arrived in the south-west France full of optimism from that bonus-point win over Sale and showed ambition in the opening exchanges against a team crowned French champions just two years ago.

Carl Meyer made yards down the right flank while Sarel Pretorius, who has grown in influence during the season, kept the Dragons on the front foot with his kicking game.

However they were made to pay for the decision to ignore a kick at goal from close-range when they were counter-rucked off the ball when Landman was stopped short from the lineout.

A young Dragons side had their hands full trying to contend with the sheer size of their hosts. Giant wing Romain Martial trampled over the far lighter frame of opposite number Ashton Hewitt to launch one of a series of counter-attacks.

France wing Remy Grosso and Romain Cabannes also proved a handful though it was the trickery and footwork of Kiwi fly-half Kirkpatrick that finally split the Dragons defence, that parted far too easily following a dummy pass after a powerful lineout drive.

Lyn Jones and Kingsley Jones will have been similarly disappointed with the second try that followed.

John Beattie picked up from the tail of a scrum and scrum-half Julien Seron was in support to hand full-back Geoffrey Palis an easy finish past the helpless Nick Scott.

However the boot of Jones somehow kept the Dragons within touching distance.

Jones was wide with his first penalty from half-way but contended with a tricky wind to convert from closer range on 19 minutes. Adam Warren’s half-break set up another penalty before Jones landed a kick from five metres inside his own half to cut the deficit to 14-9 at half-time.

That score and some words from the two Joneses during the interval galvanised the Dragons who launched into the second half with fervour.

Pretorius again pulled the strings though it took three missed opportunities until they finally found a way over the French line.

Adam Hughes gave a sloppy pass, Dee went close and Hewitt lost possession as he attempted to wriggle over the line.

Hooker Dee, hailed as a future Wales international by the Dragons management, proved his potential with a remarkable display. His burst and pass saw Meyer cross on 49 minutes.

Jones converted and added a penalty when Castres flanker Alexandre Bias was binned.

And it was Pretorius’ quick-thinking that inspired a second try. Landman burst forward, Hughes followed and Pretorius sent Dee crashing over between the posts to silence the raucous home crowd. Jones’ conversion put Dragons 26-17 ahead on 56 minutes.

Yet the power of the French forwards dramatically shifted momentum on the hour mark with 15 unanswered points. Centre Thomas Combezou barged over, Palis converted and added a penalty before Alex Tulou finished a devastating lineout drive after Dorian Jones received a yellow card for an off-the-ball challenge.

However the 14 Dragons closed ranks and a Meyer penalty set up a thrilling climax.