Newport Gwent Dragons came within a whisker of a shock victory at Perpignan but had to settle for a losing bonus point in their Heineken Cup opener.

Gareth Wyatt scored an early try for the Welsh, but Perpignan led 16-5 at the break through Guilhem Guirado’s try and 11 points kicked by Cedric Rosalen.

Joe Bearman crossed after half-time but Henry Tuilagi replied for Perpignan.

Ceri Sweeney sparked a frantic finale as his late try and conversion brought the Dragons to within four points.

Soon after kick-off the game had to be halted for 10 minutes because of a worrying head injury to the Dragons’ teenage flanker Dan Lydiate.

The youngster was eventually stretchered off by the attending medical staff at the Stade Aime Giral, but regained consciousness in the dressing room and was taken to hospital for tests.

It was the Dragons who were first to find their way over the line through experienced wing Wyatt in the 13th minute, although Rosalen had kicked a penalty for Perpignan.

Full-back Jerome Perical failed to collect Richard Mustoe’s speculative kick up field, and Wyatt pounced to hand the Dragons a 5-3 lead.

Perpignan took the most direct route to strike back within five minutes with a try for Guirado.

The hooker barged over close to the posts, after Rimas Alvarez Kairelis supported Gavin Hume’s initial break, with Rosalen adding the conversion.

Two more penalties from the reliable boot of Rosalen handed Perpignan a 16-5 lead at the break, but again it was the Dragons who started brightest in the second half.

Wales veteran Colin Charvis put them on the front foot; scrum-half Andy Williams kept the attack moving, before Lydiate’s replacement Bearman stormed over on 50 minutes.

Sweeney’s conversion reduced the deficit to four points as the Welsh region threatened a remarkable comeback, with Perpignan short of confidence following a losing start to the French Championship campaign.

But as the Dragons grew in belief, Perpignan’s summer signing Tuilagi delivered a timely boost, the giant Samoa number eight smashing through on the hour to re-establish an 11-point lead.

Indiscipline then cost Perpignan as Scotland star Nathan Hines was singled out when referee Alan Lewis lost patience with his team’s indiscretions and flashed the yellow card on 68 minutes.

That saw the momentum swing back as the Dragons forwards made the most of their extra man to carve out space for Sweeney to cross.

The try and conversion sealed a valuable bonus point, but the Dragons were unable to carve out one last try that would have claimed a famous win.

Newport Gwent Dragons plan to build a new 15,000-capacity ground on the site of their run-down Rodney Parade home.

The £40m development includes a new clubhouse and training facilities and has the backing of Newport City Council and the Welsh Rugby Union.

The proposals also include residential, retail, student and hotel developments on the existing Rodney Parade site, but will be subject to planning permission.

If approved, it is planned to be ready for the start of the 2010/11 season.

Work is expected to begin in 2009 and last for 18 months, finishing before the city hosts the Ryder Cup in October 2010.

Both the Dragons and Newport RFC will have to play away from Rodney Parade during that time, with venues around the region and the city’s football ground being considered.

“This is fantastic news for the Dragons and Newport RFC and for all rugby fans in Gwent,” said the region’s chairman Martyn Hazell.
 
“The famous Rodney Parade ground is going to be transformed into a state-of-the-art stadium with top-class facilities for the players, fans and the greater community.

“This development and management alongside continued strong financial procedures will allow us to attract top players and, more importantly, give the academy players somewhere to aspire to play in and be proud to be a part of.

“The announcement is the next exciting chapter in the life of Rodney Parade, a story that started over 130 years ago as a gift from Lord Tredegar.”

Welsh Rugby Union group chief executive Roger Lewis added: “This will drive the game forward with vigour.

“I have been closely involved in discussions related to the development plans so I know a lot of people have been working extremely hard to ensure this new stadium is built.

“The WRU are discussing a five-year plan of support for the Dragons.”

The development is separate from the plans for a new stadium that were part of a proposed takeover of the Welsh regional side, which collapsed last month after a falling out between the Dragons board and the unidentified consortium.

The interested parties had wanted access to the accounts of the regional side, but Dragons commercial director Gethin Jenkins said the consortium has not yet tabled an acceptable offer that would allow negotiations to advance to that stage.