Dragons fans hope for revival under Ryan

Former Gloucester head coach Dean Ryan was confirmed as the Dragons new director of rugby on Tuesday, leaving his post with the RFU.

The six-cap England international has been head of international player development for the past three years, but will now oversee matters with the struggling Welsh region.

The Dragons have just faced a turbulent season, finishing second from bottom in their PRO14 conference. Head coach Bernard Jackman lost his job midway through the season and was replaced by interim head coach Ceri Jones. The arrival of Ryan may open the door for a new head coach, but nothing has been confirmed as the club seek some stability.

The Welsh regions have struggled on the whole this season, with none making the Champions Cup quarter-finals, and none making the PRO14 play-offs. However, out of all four regions, the Dragons have been struggling the most.

Ryan is a character with a lot of experience that could oversee a change with the Dragons. That is what many fans are hoping on Twitter, with some new signings seeming to be a priority. This is what the Dragons fans have said:

https://twitter.com/AarHossack/status/1128255385360568321?s=20

Good luck Dean, you’ll do a great job for the region.

— Pete Grzonka (@fatpete1) May 14, 2019

Good luck Dean Ryan, given the success ⁦@gloucesterrugby⁩ and ⁦@WorcsWarriors⁩ let’s hope you can help revive ⁦@dragonsrugby⁩ over the next few seasons #hopeful #BringYourFire https://t.co/ujW3DOWzwF

— Benjamin Smith (@BenjaminMSmith) May 14, 2019

Great appointment!! Fantastic!

— Nicholas Davies (@N_J_Davies) May 14, 2019

Diolch guys, I look forward to it. Look forward to some signings and a new season😋

— Matt A Williams🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@mattdragcimbom) May 14, 2019

https://twitter.com/john10mounter/status/1128291368227475456?s=20

https://twitter.com/costiblanca/status/1128265843228463105?s=20

WOW🤩

— Stu (@Stuvoxx) May 14, 2019

Ryan has had spells coaching Bristol, Gloucester and Worcester, with the most success coming with the Cherry and Whites over a decade ago. He turned Gloucester into one of the forces in English rugby, and perhaps did not earn the sufficient silverware that he deserved.

While his time with Worcester afterwards was not as successful, he would have nonetheless built a lot of experience which may be prove to be invaluable at Rodney Parade. He has a job on his hands, but it is something that he must be relishing to take him out of a position with the RFU.

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