By Paul Jones
Filo Tiatia will be given a chance to prove he should be the man to step up and take permanent charge at the Dragons.
The former All Blacks forward, who joined the Dragons as defence coach this summer, will now call the shots as interim head coach after their decision to part company with Dai Flanagan.
Tiatia will be in charge when the Rodney Parade club return to action at Cardiff on November 30 and looks set for an extended run.
Dragons RFC can today confirm the departure of Dai Flanagan from his role as Head Coach with immediate effect.
▶️ https://t.co/eiXmVGzo7d#WeAreGwentRugby pic.twitter.com/tmoZAAIRKr
— Dragons RFC (@dragonsrfc) November 2, 2024
The former Hurricanes back row played for five years at the Ospreys and has previous coaching experience in New Zealand and Japan.
“The decision has been mutually agreed by all parties following extensive discussions regarding the club’s performance and future direction,” read a Dragons statement after the change was announced on Saturday morning.
“We thank Dai for his contribution, professionalism, and dedication to Dragons RFC throughout his time at the club and wish him and his family well for the future.
“Filo Tiatia will now take charge of the team as interim head coach, supported by the current coaching staff.
Dragons RFC will make further announcements on the coaching team going forward in due course.”
The Dragons have made a poor start to the BKT United Rugby Championship that has seen them slump to 15th in the table.
Having joined the coaching staff at the Gwent region in the summer of 2022 Flanagan found himself thrust into the leading role after only one game when director of rugby Dean Ryan was sacked.
He oversaw 10 wins and a draw in 48 games in charge in the URC and European competition as head coach – the worst return of all Dragons’ coaches since the regions were created in 2003.
Flanagan’s appointment seemed to spark enthusiasm around the Dragons in his first few months and it was hoped the Gwent side would kick on this term.
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However, following a win over the Ospreys on the first weekend of the season, the Dragons have now gone five games without a win and are just one place from bottom in the URC table.
The former Scarlets assistant coach was generally considered to be seriously under-resourced for much of his time in charge, however.
Not only was his playing budget one of the smallest in the league, but there were sizable gaps in the coaching structure meant to support him.
Flanagan’s existing contract was due to run out at the end of the 2024-25 campaign, but with just one win in the opening block of six matches the board have opted to make a change before fixtures resume on 30 November with a derby match against Cardiff at the Arms Park.
