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Eight internationals among 20 players Dragons confirm are leaving
By Ian Cameron
Dragons have confirmed a mass exodus of players from the club which now amounts to a total of 20 athletes since the season began.
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The region have been endured a season from hell, registering just two wins so fair in the United Rugby Championship.
The club had previously confirmed the departure of seasoned veterans Richard Hibbard, Aaron Jarvis, Tavis Knoyle and Jamie Roberts, but have now added more to the list of those departing.
Dean Ryan’s side this afternoon confirmed that Dan Babos, Dan Baker, Greg Bateman, Mesake Doge, Harry Fry, Tom Griffiths, Jonah Holmes, Owen Jenkins, Josh Lewis, Evan Lloyd, Joe Maksymiw, Will Talbot-Davies, Adam Warren and Max Williams are all heaving to the exit too.
Against this they have been recruiting, just this week revealing that Wales prop Dan Evans was on his way to Rodney Parade from Scarlets. They have also confirmed the arrival of JJ Hanrahan from Clermont, Sio Tomkinson from the Highlanders, Max Clark from Bath and Bradley Roberts from Ulster, among others.
“We would like to thank all the players for their commitment and effort throughout their time as Dragons,” said director of rugby Ryan. “It is a difficult time of year, but we must make difficult decisions if we want change.
“The players have continued to give everything to the jersey, as they have always done, and I’m in awe of their efforts during this period.
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“I’m sure our supporters will give them the reception they deserve following our final game with the Emirates Lions and we wish them every success with their future endeavours.”
The Dragons face the Emirates Lions in the final game of the season at Rodney Parade on Saturday.
Dragons: Jordan Williams, Rio Dyer, Adam Warren, Josh Lewis, Jared Rosser, Will Reed, Gonzalo Bertranou; Aki Seiuli, Elliot Dee, Mesake Doge, Joe Maksymiw, Huw Taylor, Ben Fry, Taine Basham, Ollie Griffiths (CAPT)
Replacements: Taylor Davies, Lloyd Fairbrother, Chris Coleman, Max Williams, Lennon Greggains, Lewis Jones, Sam Davies, Ioan Davies.
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Emirates Lions: Quan Horn, Stean Pienaar, Henco van Wyk, Matt More, Edwill van der Merwe, Jordan Hendrikse, Morne van den Berg, JP Smith, Jaco Visagie, Ruan Dreyer, Ruan Venter, Reinhard Nothnagel (CAPT), Sibusiso Sangweni, Vincent Tshituka, Francke Horn
Replacements: PJ Botha, Sti Sithole, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Ruben Schoeman, Jarod Cairns, Andre Warner, Manuel Rass, Tiaan Swanepoel
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Well Mark Reason has a reason to jump up and down as he's a Crusader and Scott Robertson Fan through and through.
Go to commentsAll sounds wonderful ... except when they trialled it in England (below sternum) it was a disaster Remember these are the same people who introduced the new tackle protocols which "ruined" pro rugby with an avalanche of yellow/red cards. Every game seems to be influenced by them. They became the main talking points (instead of the rugby) ... all of this, and yet the concussion rate has decreased not at all. The whole thing has been a waste of time.... AlI agree for the need to change and greater safety - indeed "doing nothing is not an option" but let's do something sensefull instead! The armpit/sternum could be workable. Somehow you have to be able to grab an opposing player around the torso, or it's not rugby imo But it needs to be trialled properly and later rolled out properly. Unfortunately the game must rely on the RFU to do that job....
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