Nine players leave Dragons
The Dragons have announced that nine players will leave the club upon completion of the 2023/24 campaign.
Among them is popular front-rower Aki Seuili, who joined from Glasgow Warriors back in 2021 and brought up his 50th appearance for the club against Benetton.
Back-rower Sean Lonsdale and centre Sio Tomkinson also depart. Gonzalo Bertranou and Max Clark, both of whom were on loan at Cardiff Rugby this season, will also leave.
Lewis Jones, Corey Baldwin, Nathan Evans and Jack Dixon are the other confirmed departures.
Head coach Dai Flanagan said: “It’s always a difficult time of any season when players depart, and we thank them all for their commitment and dedication during their time with us.
“Every single player has had a role to play for us and we wish them all every success for the future and look forward to welcoming them back to Rodney Parade soon.”
It means there is a chance that Dan Lydiate could remain with the Men of Gwent. The former Wales flanker signed on a one-year deal from the Ospreys ahead of the campaign, however he is not named among the players leaving. Whether he pens new terms remains to be seen.
Elsewhere, Wales prop Leon Brown also sees his contract expiring at the end of the season, but he is not among those confirmed to be exiting the club.
Brown was the subject of transfer interest from across the Severn Bridge earlier this season, but he, like Lydiate, could be kept on.
Eddie Jones: Farrell situation is sad
Former England boss Eddie Jones has said he is “sad” that Owen Farrell has had to step back from international rugby because of all the “abuse” he suffered.
Farrell, 32, has announced he will join Racing 92 in France next season, leaving Saracens after 17 years. It means his England career is also on hold, because they cannot select players who play outside of the English system.
And, speaking to The Telegraph, Japan boss Jones said: “I think it is sad that he feels like that for such a tough, unrelenting player.
“I was speaking to someone about his performance for Saracens against Bath recently and he said Farrell was just out of this world in the last 20 minutes. Owen’s done that for over 100 Tests for England and look how many trophies he has won for Saracens.
“He is one of the game’s most acclaimed players and yet he feels like he has to change his career. Look, he is 32 now and if he wants to do something different by his own volition, then that is great. But when you think he has done it because of all the abuse he has suffered in the game, I think that is sad, but that is the society we live in. That can’t be right.
“The booing became contagious. People start booing and they don’t really know what they are booing about. They just think: ‘This is a good idea, let’s boo.’”
Jones added: “We shared a few text messages and I just hope for the rest of his career he finds the love of the game again. All it shows is that he has probably lost a little love of the game, and you can understand why. I think at Racing he will get the love of the game back and it will only be purely about playing. I really hope he does get that back.
“If he enjoys the experience and then does want to come back and play [internationally], then come back and play. But if not, continue doing what he loves doing.”
Manu Tuilagi: I have no regrets
By Andy Hampson, PA
Manu Tuilagi insists there are no regrets over his international career as he prepares to leave the English game.
The England centre will play what could be his final home game for Sale on Friday before he joins French Top 14 club Bayonne in the summer. With overseas-based players not considered for selection by England, the 32-year-old’s 60th cap – earned against France in March – looks set to be his last.
It is a figure that could have been much higher but for numerous injury problems, not to mention some disciplinary issues, but Tuilagi looks back on his time in a national jersey with satisfaction.
Tuilagi said: “Whatever you plan or what you want, sometimes you don’t get that, and that’s just life.
“I’m just so happy. I can’t believe I’ve played 60 times for England. I’m just thankful and blessed that I was able to play that amount of times. Once is amazing, but to even get over 10 is unbelievable.”
Tuilagi feels the time was probably right to draw a line under an England career that began in 2011.
“I think so,” he said. “It was a tough decision, but it’s another part of my journey. I’m getting old as well.
“The best thing is that we have players that are getting there nicely, the likes of Ollie Lawrence, ‘Slady’ (Henry Slade), those guys. They’ll be huge for England for a long time.
“I think the England team at the moment is unbelievable – the way that we finished off in the Six Nations. For me now, to be a fan and watch, I can’t wait. It’s exciting.”
Tuliagi admits he would not say no to England again, were the Rugby Football Union to change policy and make players based abroad eligible for selection, but he accepts that seems unlikely.
He said: “What will be will be. If it does happen, it’ll be brilliant. If it doesn’t, it’s just life, I guess. But it’d be nice for players to be able to play anywhere and still play for England.”