Stade Francais’ priority might have been the Top 14 as they lie third in the table but they have a big budget and a formidable squad, so Dragons were still overwhelming underdogs at Stade Jean Bouin.
However, the Rodney Parade club have proved to be a tougher nut to crack this season and travelled fresh from spirited displays against Stormers and Lions.
That South Africa tour came after Dragons, who are on a five-game unbeaten run in Newport, were denied late on at Munster and Ospreys.
The Gwent side provided more evidence of their progress in 2025-26 with an impressive display to stun Stade on their own turf.
“The boys hung in there and really stayed in the fight and that was crucial for the outcome we had,” said Tiatia, whose side have made huge strides since starting their European campaign with a 41-17 defeat by Perpignan.
“The first half there was a lot of good things. I just wanted to take the opportunities that were in front of them and just be clear and calm. We showed that at the end.
“It was a very positive day for us and I’m proud of them and thankful for the support we had here from our fans.
“We have a quarter-final to look forward to and an opportunity.”
This was a result to rival the quarter-final upset against defending champions Gloucester at Kingsholm in the 2016 Challenge Cup.
On that occasion it was scrum-half Charlie Davies that was the hero from a driving lineout.
Now loose-head prop Wyn Jones has joined him in Dragons folklore by going over for his first try since the 2020 Six Nations at Scotland.
It was Dragons’ first away win of the season and they will be hungry for more.
They now face a Zebre side who prop up the URC but crucially beat Ospreys at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in the Challenge Cup group stages on their way to being seeded fifth.
Dragons, who have won twice, drawn once and lost eight times in Parma, will not travel as huge underdogs in the last eight.
The winners go on to face either Montpellier or Connacht in the semi-finals, with the Welsh side’s ranking meaning the tie would be in France or Ireland.
