After overcoming Dragons, Ospreys maintained their chances of winning the United Rugby Championship‘s top spot for the Welsh region.
The bonus-point victory was secured by tries from Nicky Smith, Dan Lydiate, Morgan Morris, Iestyn Hopkins, and Keiran Williams.
Sio Tomkinson, a center for the Dragons, was dismissed in the 44th minute for a careless hit on Jack Walsh.
Jordan Williams, a winger for the Dragons, scored and they were awarded a penalty try.
Ospreys began the day nine points behind Cardiff after the latter’s bonus-point victory over Zebre on Friday. The goal was to finish as the highest Welsh region and earn a spot in the Heineken Champions Cup for the following season.
Ospreys have now cut their deficit to four points and will play their last game against Edinburgh while Cardiff will go to Connacht.
The last regular-season league match will take place on Saturday, April 22, at “Judgement Day” at the Principality Stadium between Cardiff and Ospreys.
Both teams will still hope to be in the top eight in the URC and go to the playoffs.
This was the Ospreys’ last league game at home this year. The audience applauded when prop Smith and Wales lock Alun Wyn Jones were removed from the game as part of the flurry of second-half substitutions. Home supporters are hoping this is not the final time they will see the pair play.
Smith has been said to be leaving the area, and lock Jones will turn 38 in September as he prepares for what may be his fifth World Cup in France.
After Matthew Screech was expelled in the loss against Connacht, Dragons had a player sent off for the second game in a row.
To highlight the visiting team’s lack of discipline, Ross Moriarty was also given a yellow card for another late tackle on Walsh.
Since defeating Zebre in October 2022, Dragons have now dropped their last nine league games.
Only Zebre will finish behind Dai Flanagan’s team in the standings since they have only won three games and suffered 13 URC losses.
