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Dragons have announced that back row Harri Keddie has signed a new deal keeping him at the Welsh region for the next three seasons.
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The versatile back row has made 25 appearances for the Dragons since his debut in 2016 against Zebre Rugby. Prior to that time, he was included in the Dragons squad for the Premiership Singha Sevens Tournament, in which he made a huge impact in aiding the side to win the title, scoring the winning try in the final against Wasps.
The Dragons academy product has also made big strides in the Wales U20s set up and impressed spectators with his ball carrying skills during the Grand Slam campaign in 2016.
Additionally, Keddie has made appearances for Principality Premiership side Ebbw Vale performing well for them in the final against Pontypridd RFC, where the Steelmen were crowned 2015/16 Principality Premiership Champions.
The talented youngster said: “Growing up I had always wanted to play for the Dragons as it is my home region, so it means a lot to me to have been given the opportunity to stay here for the next 3 years as I feel the club is going in the right direction both on and off the field.
“I have enjoyed my time here so far under Bernard and to be given this opportunity is a great privilege to me and I look forward to doing so for the next few years.
“It is really exciting times at the Dragons and I wanted to be a part of that.”
The 21-year-old suffered a shoulder injury during the Dragons victory over Connacht in September, in the GUINNESS PRO14 competition and is keen to get back into the starting line-up once he returns to full fitness; “Once I am back fit I hope to earn my place in the team again, playing some good rugby and being part of a successful Dragons team.”
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Dragons Head Coach, Bernard Jackman added: “Harrison was one of our stand out performers in the early part of the season until he unfortunately picked up his shoulder injury. He has been incredibly diligent with his rehab and he will come back available for selection over the coming weeks.
“For him to commit to us for at least the next three seasons is a huge boost for the region.”
After signing the new contract, Keddie has picked out Caerleon RFC to receive a cash donation through the Dragons Pathway Recognition Award scheme. This scheme seeks to recognise the club or school that played a vital role in the player’s development to become a professional. Before Christmas Leon Brown presented a £500 cheque to St Joseph’s RC High School.
Keddie joins Joe Davies, Jack Dixon and James Benjamin as well as Welsh Internationals Leon Brown, Elliot Dee, Ollie Griffiths and Cory Hill in extending his stay with the Dragons, who also welcome newcomers Ross Moriarty, Richard Hibbard, Rhodri Williams, Jordan Williams, Rhodri Davies and Huw Taylor next season.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Bar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
9 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
35 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
35 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
35 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
35 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
35 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
35 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
35 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
18 Go to comments