Leicester crashed to their first defeat of the season after being outplayed by a Craig Warlow-inspired Dragons at Rodney Parade.

Fly-half Warlow contributed 19 points as the Dragons mauled a Tigers outfit devoid of inspiration.

Leicester's hopes of reaching the Powergen Cup semi-finals now hinge on them beating remaining Pool D opponents Worcester and Northampton at Welford Road, but even then they will be eliminated if the Dragons record two more victories.

Domestic form went out of the window, with Guinness Premiership leaders Leicester being undone by a side whose greater desire and organisation reaped dividends.

Warlow booted a drop-goal, three penalties and a conversion, while his first-half try was the highlight of a game that often fizzed in filthy rainswept conditions.

Dragons wing Ben Breeze also touched down, and although Tigers produced a well-worked try for Irish flanker Shane Jennings and a late Leon Lloyd touchdown, they finished second-best in most of the key contests.

Leicester boss Pat Howard made more than a dozen changes following Tigers' Premiership victory at Leeds last weekend, but he still paraded five England internationals - Ollie Smith, Andy Goode, Harry Ellis, Graham Rowntree and Julian White.

White, especially, had a point to prove following his omission from Andy Robinson's 30-man England squad for the autumn Tests, suggesting a tough night for his opposite number, Dragons loosehead prop Adam Black.

The Dragons, reeling from three successive Celtic League losses, included Wales and Lions back-row forward Michael Owen for his first start of the campaign following a prolonged summer break.

Wales coach Mike Ruddock was among a saturated crowd, and given the conditions, both teams inevitably took time to settle.

Leicester almost opened their account on nine minutes when full-back Matt Cornwell's kick rolled rapidly after bouncing on the greasy surface, and wing Alesana Tuilagi just failed to touch down, although referee Nigel Owens required a television replay ruling before disallowing it.

But the Dragons responded magnificently, and they stunned Tigers with two tries in five minutes.

Wales full-back Kevin Morgan sparked the opener, shredding Leicester's defence from inside his own half, and brilliant support work by Owen saw him deliver a scoring pass to Warlow.

Leicester were rocked by the score, but they had to endure more pain from the Dragons' next attack as Breeze scorched through a huge gap following impressive work by his forwards. Warlow converted, and Leicester trailed 12-0.

Tigers, having appeared leaden-footed during the opening quarter, burst into life 11 minutes before half-time when slick approach work that defied the weather ended with Jennings sprinting over for a try which Goode converted.

It proved a false dawn though, and after Warlow and Goode exchanged penalties, Warlow slotted another three-pointer during first-half stoppage time, elevating the Dragons into a deserved 18-10 interval lead.

The rain continued to pour down, but it couldn't knock Warlow out of his stride and a drop-goal five minutes after the restart ensured further breathing space.

Howard responded by making a double substitution, sending on Austin Healey and Leo Cullen as he looked to try to rescue an increasingly alarming position.

The Dragons were in total control though as Leicester continued to make numerous unforced errors, and a 74th-minute Warlow penalty sealed the deal for a jubilant home side and their supporters.

Leicester will write the game off as a bad day at the office, while the Dragons' performance served notice - and inspiration to their fellow Welsh challengers Cardiff Blues, Llanelli Scarlets and the Ospreys - that the new-look Powergen Cup is far from reserved as English property.