Rio Dyer: Wing says Wales jersey is still important after signing new Dragons deal
- Published
Wales wing Rio Dyer made his international debut against New Zealand in November 2022
Wing Rio Dyer says being able to continue to play for Wales was a major factor in signing a new deal with Dragons.
Dyer, who will remain at Rodney Parade for another two seasons, would have been unavailable to play for the national side if he had left for a club outside Wales.
That is due to Wales' 25-cap rule with Dyer having played 14 internationals.
"It is a dream to put that Welsh jersey on," said Dyer.
There is an ongoing debate over whether the rule should remain with head coach Warren Gatland admitting it might have to be reconsidered.
Those players leaving Wales for teams outside the country must have played 25 internationals to continue to represent the national side after the number dropped from 60 in February 2023.
With Welsh budgets being squeezed again for 2024-25, younger players targeted by English and French clubs have a decision to make on international futures if they have fewer than 25 caps.
Exeter centre Joe Hawkins, who has five caps, missed out on the 2023 World Cup after his move from Ospreys last summer.
Hawkins' Cardiff-born club mate Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has chosen to play for England amid fears his medical career ambitions would have been disrupted by having to return to Wales to play for the men in red.
The rule is also having some positive impact on keeping young stars such as Dyer and Mason Grady, who looks likely to stay at Cardiff.
"Playing for Wales was a huge part of the decision; I've worked tirelessly over the years," said Dyer.
"Rugby is a tough sport and business, putting on the Welsh jersey means too much to me, I couldn't let it go.
"I love putting it on, I want to keep doing what I can and keep in the squad."
Rio Dyer and Mason Grady were both involved in the 2023 World Cup
Dyer added: "As a young boy, you watch all the ex-professionals who put the Welsh jersey on.
"I was lucky and thankful I got to play with a lot of them, they've left a huge legacy in the Welsh jersey.
"It was a proud moment for me to get that opportunity to play with the ones who have now retired and left their mark in that jersey.
"Even though people might not see it as a huge thing to them from the outside, for me, a young boy who's grown up living and playing in Wales, to wear that red jersey is a privilege nobody can take off you."
Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan hopes Dyer's Dragons' Wales team-mates Aaron Wainwright, Taine Basham and Leon Brown also sign new deals.
"Everyone is an individual, they have their own opinion on things, that's their opinions at the end of the day, if they choose a different path, they choose a different path," said Dyer.
"It's about respecting someone's decision and supporting them no matter what."
Dyer is in line to replace Louis Rees-Zammit in the Wales starting side with the former Gloucester wing quitting rugby to try to break into the NFL.
"It's the decision he's made, and you've got to respect it," said Dyer.
"I think it's best to let him crack on and I hope he does well."
Dyer, 24, is glad his future has been resolved and said he always wanted to stay with Dragons.
"It's a tough time in Welsh rugby, with budgets," said Dyer.
"No matter who you are, it is stressful trying to sign deals and stay with clubs.
"That pressure is off my back now and I can just focus on my rugby and enjoy it like I've always done.
"There's external factors, but deep down, I've basically grown up through the Dragon' structure and with a lot of the boys.
"I'm a local boy, I love playing for this team and representing the badge. The environment is amazing, deep down I wanted to stay with the club and knowing I can is a great thing for me."
Dyer is determined to help Dragons lose their tag of a struggling Welsh region.
"There are a lot of youngsters in the squad and everyone is starting to change the stigma," said Dyer.
"I've been here a few years and we have been seen before as a region that lose. It's like tumbleweed and we keep losing and then we're just known for being the squad that loses.
"It's more of a case people are kind of taking more of a personal attack to it now, we're out here trying to prove something and we can be a region that can be successful."