Latest news with #DaiFlanagan
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Welsh rugby coach set to land job with English giants
Welsh rugby coach set to land job with English giants Dai Flanagan is on the verge of landing a huge job in the Gallagher Premiership Former Dragons Head Coach Dai Flanagan (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd ) Former Dragons boss Dai Flanagan looks set for a coaching role at English giants Saracens. Flanagan parted ways with the Dragons last October after a difficult run of results but the 39-year-old remains heavily respected within the game. English champions Saracens are on the verge of appointing Flanagan as a replacement for outgoing attack coach Kevin Sorrell. Flanagan has forged a reputation as a strong man manager and an excellent attack coach. Things didn't go as planned for Flanagan at the Dragons after taking the helm following director of rugby Dean Ryan's departure in January 2023 with the club continuing to struggle on the field up his departure last October. Prior to his time at the Dragons Flanagan spent eight years at the Scarlets working under Wayne Pivac, Brad Mooar, Glenn Delaney and Dwayne Peel. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Article continues below "My journey probably needs to be somewhere else now to develop, experience new things," Flanagan told the BBC ScrumV podcast in March. "Potentially new roles, but I've still got a lot to offer Welsh rugby." It appears that new role will be as part of Mark McCall's backroom team at Saracens who were once the dominant force in English and European rugby. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free Article continues below Saracens are not quite the force of old having missed out on this season's Gallagher Premiership play-offs but remain a team stacked with international talent. If Flanagan's move gets completed he will be coaching the likes of British & Irish Lions captain Maro Itoje, Ben Earl, Elliot Daly, Jamie George, and Nick Tompkins, among others. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.
BBC News
11-02-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Tiatia to lead Dragons on long-term basis
Dragons have appointed Filo Tiatia as the region's head coach on a long-term former All Black has been in interim charge since the departure of Dai Flanagan in November but has now signed what Dragons say is a "multi-year contract" to take on the top has also been given the chance to appoint an assistant coach to work alongside him at Rodney Parade by Dragons' board of 53, said he was "absolutely delighted"."It's been a real privilege to work in Gwent rugby throughout this season and now lead the programme here as we look towards a bright future," he added. "We have a talented squad of players, with a number of young homegrown players coming through our system, and a backroom team that I am now looking forward to working with in the seasons to come."Dragons chairman David Wright said: "We believe his coaching, leadership and expertise will create the environment needed to drive positive change and take our club forward."Filo has a wealth of experience and is an innovator, a leader, who has a track record in developing players, coaches, and galvanising squads."Dragons are currently bottom of the United Rugby Championship, with their opening round derby win over Ospreys their only league victory this season. "We accept results this season have not been what our supporters, or indeed we, want. Therefore, we've taken our time to complete a full review and make the right decisions for the long-term benefit of Dragons RFC," added Wright.
