For the second consecutive match in the RaboDirect PRO12, Faletau was the outstanding performer as the Dragons picked up their first league win since September.

Fly-half Jason Tovey contributed 11 points while Martyn Thomas and Lewis Robling also crossed for second-half tries to give the Dragons the bragging rights.

The Ospreys rested several of their international stars but when the going got tough Sean Holley sent for reinforcements in the shape of Adam Jones, Richard Hibbard and Tommy Bowe.

It was the latter’s try that brought the visitors to within a point at Rodney Parade but another replacement, fly-half Dan Biggar, pushed the conversion wide before hitting the post with a late drop goal to leave Faletau a relieved man.

“It is great we finally got a result and that can hopefully kickstart our season,” he said. “When the drop goal hit the post I was just relieved. If the boys keep working hard we will take it from there.”

Bowe was not the only Irish international to touch down as Ulster emphatically crushed Edinburgh 42-20 at Murrayfield.

Hooker Rory Best, winger Andrew Trimble, lock Dan Tuohy and centre Darren Cave did their chances of inclusion in Declan Kidney’s squad no harm at all with a score apiece. 

Best and Stephen Ferris left the field early there were no injury concerns for Kidney to sweat about.

And Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin was delighted to see his team hitting top form after a mini-slump earlier in the season.

“We may have been a little inconsistent at times, but all in all that was a tremendous win,” he said.

“This evening was very important in the context of the PRO12 and keeping ourselves in mix for a place in the knockout stages come the end of the season but it was also important in view of next week’s Heineken Cup match

“Confidence levels are high and we’ll take that into next week although we know what a tough game Leicester is going to be and we will need to do not just the same, but better next week.”