Flanagan leaves Dragons head coach role

Dai Flanagan is a former Cardiff and Ospreys fly-half

Dragons have parted company with head coach Dai Flanagan, with assistant Filo Tiatia taking over on an interim basis.

The Newport-based region said the departure was by mutual agreement and with immediate effect.

Dragons added: "The decision has been mutually agreed by all parties following extensive discussions regarding the club's performance and future direction."

Flanagan, 39, leaves with Dragons the lowest-placed of Wales' United Rugby Championship (URC) teams.

They are 15th in the table with only Zebre below them, having won once and lost five times this season.

Dragons also finished 15th in 2022-23 and last season.

In a statement Dragons said: "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."

Tiatia, who has been named interim head coach, will be "supported by the current coaching staff".

Flanagan left his role as Scarlets backs coach to become Dragons head coach in June 2022, when Dean Ryan was director of rugby.

During Ryan's protracted departure, which was finalised in January 2023, Flanagan took charge and remained in place from that point on.

Despite continued expressions of optimism that Dragons would become more competitive - and occasional wins to savour - they remain the least successful of the four professional sides.

With the autumn internationals prompting a break in URC fixtures, Dragons are next in action against Cardiff at Rodney Parade on Saturday, 30 November (17:15 GMT).