Dragons RFC can confirm that British & Irish Lion and Wales international back row Ross Moriarty is to leave the club with immediate effect to take up a playing opportunity overseas.
The 28-year-old – who joined the club in 2018 and has made 54 appearances for the club and 35 for Wales during this period – has agreed terms with a club outside of Wales and will join them for the remainder of the 2023/24 season and beyond.
Reports suggest the club is Brive in the Top 14.
Dai Flanagan, Head Coach of Dragons RFC, said: “We’re obviously disappointed to be losing a player of the quality of Ross after we offered him the best possible terms we could to remain with us.
“I have always enjoyed a strong relationship with Ross and would like to thank him for his honesty and professionalism throughout what I know has been a difficult decision for him.
“Ross has made a huge impact at Dragons over the last five seasons, captaining the side on several occasions, giving absolutely everything to the cause and being a fantastic role model to the younger players around him.
“Ross and his young family now have a new opportunity overseas and they leave us with our very best wishes for the future. He will always be welcomed back at Rodney Parade.”
Ross Moriarty commented: “I’m sad to be leaving Dragons RFC after five seasons in Newport, but this is an opportunity that I feel I have to take at this time for myself and my young family.
“I leave with many happy memories of my time as a Dragon, and I have made lifelong friends within the squad.
“I’d like to thank everyone involved with the club for their support, especially Dai Flanagan for his understanding with the decision I have made.
“I’ve always loved playing at Rodney Parade in front of the passionate and dedicated fanbase and look forward to returning to see the Dragons in action in the future.
“I’ll continue to follow the fortunes of Dragons very closely and do believe the future is bright. There is a huge amount of exciting young talent within the squad and Dai’s vision is one I am confident will succeed.”
“Pool of death” – England handed nightmare group in revised Rugby World Cup draw
The latest World Rugby Rankings reaffirm home how ridiculous the Pool Draw for the Rugby World Cup 2023 is.
Decided THREE years before the tournament, the pools for the tournament that starts in September seems extremely unbalanced.
World Rugby has already confirmed they will hold the pool draws for future Rugby World Cups at a later date, closer to the kick-off of upcoming tournaments.
This comes after criticism that the draws were taking place far too early, with world rankings at the time of the draw playing a crucial role in the teams’ seedings.
World Rugby will shake the pool draw up ahead of 2027, according to a report by the Mirror.
“World Rugby said it is able to make the change because of a new ‘hosting model’ that sees the international federation create collaborations with the host union,” the report read.
“The top of the men’s Test game has never been more competitive,” the spokesperson added. “There has never been so much movement over a two-year period.
“Bearing that in mind and noting the format of four pools of five teams, there is arguably no perfect time for a draw.”
As a result, the guys over at Eggchasers Rugby put together their own drawer the 2023 tournament based on the current World Rugby rankings.
Concentrating on only the top 10 countries in the world, it looks significant.
It was very different with England handed a much sterner test in their pool. Watch the full video here.
POOL A actual draw:
- France
- New Zealand
POOL A up to date draw
- France
- Australia