Gavin Henson among the nine players who are leaving struggling Dragons
Nine players are set to leave PRO14 strugglers Dragons following the conclusion of yet another poor season by the Welsh region.
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.
? DEPARTURES | Dragons confirm list of departing players… ?
We thank all 9? players for their hard work and professionalism during their time at @rodneyparade – and say a HUGE thank you to some true legends ?
?? https://t.co/cZOqBUEtbJ #BringYourFire? pic.twitter.com/JnD113YVFf
— Dragons RFC (@dragonsrugby) May 3, 2019
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.
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.
Look who's back! https://t.co/w2LdsHGmgC
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) May 3, 2019
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