Edinburgh Rugby scored three tries in the final ten minutes to snatch a thrilling 24-20 victory over Newport Gwent Dragons as the Guinness PRO12 continued to produce cracking matches so late in the season.

The referee awarded captain Grant Gilchrist a last-gasp try with the ball buried under a pile of bodies, as Edinburgh surged forwards from a scrum – sensing blood after being seemingly dead and buried.

They had trailed for much of the match against a well-organised Dragons side, who led through tries from Pat Howard and Carl Meyer.

But Blair Kinghorn and Damien Hoyland hit back, before Edinburgh’s pack did the rest – shunting the Dragons back for a famous comeback.

Edinburgh made four changes to their side, including an entirely new front row with George Turner making his first start of the season at hooker.

The Dragons also made changes, with props Thomas Davies and Brok Harris drafted into the side – making the battle up front intriguing.

The Welsh side started brightly, winning an early penalty which they sent into Edinburgh’s 22 – but the hosts regrouped and denied them by forcing a penalty of their own at the ruck.

But Edinburgh moved ahead shortly after, through a Jason Tovey penalty – the kicker going on to have a major influence on the outcome.

The fly-half’s kicking from hand was superb in the first half, as he kept the Dragons pinned back in their own 22.

But the Dragons remained firm, soaking up Edinburgh’s pressure – before scoring the first try of the match through winger Howard, who dotted down in the left-hand corner after a sweeping move from right to left by the Dragons’ backs.

And Edinburgh’s first half got worse minutes later as Tovey was forced off with an injury, replaced by Duncan Weir, although he come back later in the contest.

The visitors stretched their lead just before the break through an Angus O’Brien penalty, as they continued to march towards an away win.

And it got better after the interval as full-back Meyer scored their second try of the night.

Kinghorn thought he had scored just after the hour-mark, but it was disallowed and the referee brandished a yellow card to Allan Dell for a no-arms clearance at the ruck.

But they showed plenty of spirit, and the fit-again Tovey supplied a delightful pass to Kinghorn to score with eight minutes left.

It got better shortly after, with Tovey again pulling the strings and Hoyland finishing neatly, before a late push forward saw the ball grounded late on.

The Guinness PRO12 Final takes place on May 27 at Aviva Stadium, Dublin.
Fans can guarantee their place by booking their tickets via www.ticketmaster.ie

Further information: www.pro12rugby.com/final