Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Gavin Henson among the nine players who are leaving struggling Dragons

Gavin Henson is one of Dragons' departing players

Nine players are set to leave PRO14 strugglers Dragons following the conclusion of yet another poor season by the Welsh region.

ADVERTISEMENT

Jason Tovey, who earlier this season became the first player to score 1,000 points for Dragons, leaves after completing a successful third spell at the region.

Former captain Rynard Landman, who made 115 appearances after moving to Rodney Parade in 2014, and fellow South African Zane Kirchner will also move on at the end of the campaign.

Joining the trio will be fly-half Gavin Henson, centre Jarryd Sage, prop Dan Suter and wing George Gasson.

With their departures already confirmed, Hallam Amos, who has made 115 appearances since his debut a decade ago, will join Cardiff Blues, while scrum-half Rhodri Davies departs for Cornish Pirates.

All nine players are to be recognised at the region’s end of season awards alongside Gerard Ellis, Calvin Wellington and James Thomas who left during the season.

ADVERTISEMENT

Interim coach Ceri Jones, said: “We thank all the players for their hard work and professionalism during their time at Dragons. They leave with our best wishes and we wish them well in their future endeavours.”

Jones is expected to remain on at the club as an assistant to the incoming Dean Ryan, who will replace Bernard Jackman as head coach following his sacking last December following a troubled 18 months in charge of the region who are struggling to rid themselves of the status of Wales’ four-best team.

Dragons won just five of their 21 league games this season to finish sixth in their conference, 31 points behind Benetton who finished third to qualify for this weekend’s quarter-finals.

ADVERTISEMENT

DRAGONS LEAVERS 2018/19
Jason Tovey – 178 Dragons appearances; 1,009 points
Hallam Amos – 115 Dragons appearances; 180 points
Rynard Landman– 115 Dragons appearances; 70 points
Zane Kirchner – 27 Dragons appearances; 24 points
Jarryd Sage – 23 Dragons appearances; 20 points
Gavin Henson – 18 Dragons appearances; 103 points
Dan Suter – 10 Dragons appearances
Rhodri Davies – 8 Dragons appearances; 10 points
George Gasson – 4 Dragons appearances; 5 points

WATCH: The RugbyPass fly on the wall documentary on life at the Dragons

Video Spacer

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

H
Hellhound 44 minutes ago
What has happened to Aphelele Fassi?

Willie will always be the most missed player for me once he retires. He wasn't interested in scoring tries. The ultimate team player. Has the most assists in tries in the Bok team, and his kicks always spot on, at least 95% of the time. He reads the game like no other player can. He wasn't flashy, and people didn't notice him because of that. Great rugby head and knowledge. He should be catapulted into an assistant coach in the rugby system. He should really consider coaching.


Damian Willemse is an excellent fullback and he is the number 1 fullback. He can play the entire backline positions, except maybe 9, but I'm sure he would be able too if he wanted. No one is taking that away from him, only stand in while he is injured. He is world class and you don't swap that out. He also got wicked dancing feet, great eye for openings, and reads a game like few can, like Willie Le Roux. Also very strong on his feet, with absolute great hands and his kicking game is just as good.


As for Aphelele Fassi. What a great find and he has exceptional talent that Rassie will mould into a world class player. Yet.... He is nowhere even close to Damien Willemse. He has a long way to go to get there, but he is surrounded by great team mates from who he will gain lots of advice and support. He can play wing and fullback and Rassie may just try him out as a flyhalf or centre too. He has the abilities to expand his game. He is for sure a future star, but not yet at the stage to take away Damien Willemse's spot. However, DW start and AF on the bench, that is an awesome replacement. Between the 2 they cover all positions in the backline once AF gets that training. The Boks could go 6/2 permanently if they wanted. 6 forwards, a scrumhalf and AF. I may be wrong, but Rassie will spread AF around.

0 Go to comments
R
RedWarrior 1 hour ago
'They smelt it': Scott Robertson says Italy sensed All Blacks' vulnerability

I think Italy were always targetting this match and intended to win. They needed to exorcise the 2023 RWC. I think they could have done with a bit more help from other 6Ns particularly from Ireland to knock more holes in NZ and their confidence.

Mentioned before the Italy Argentina match was a virus that ripped through the Italy camp early that week. In general play Italy were competitive albeit with a high error count and crucial missed tackles.

Ive said it before the era of NZ turning up unprepared for all comers and triumphing is definitively over. If a Tier1 team target NZ and NZ do not prepare accordingly they are in with a major chance of losing. It used to occur the odd time in RWCs against France, now it can occur v any Tier1. The competition has improved. NZ can still be at the top but their talents must be deployed sufficiently into dismantling teams as with their attack then allowed to exploit.

They dismantled Ireland pretty well in Dublin which went largely unnoticed. That allowed them scoreboard advantage and attacking opportunities of which one was enough.

That Italian team beat Wales and significantly Scotland last year. They used the loss to NZ in the most positive way possible. No doubt NZ prepared but I would assume it was similar to versus Argentina: 3/4 arsed at best. These test matches are rare and this was another chance to practice dismantling a determined and prepared opponent which was lost. If Italy had scored a 7 pointer at 17-6....an Italian win was on.

50 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones
Search