Tiatia to stay on at Dragons as region outlines plans for future

Filo Tiatia will be confirmed as the Dragons' head coach for next season – with the promise of improved recruitment and further investment into the region.

Dragons chair David Wright made the announcement as he outlined plans to revitalise the Rodney Parade side's fortunes.

The Dragons are currently bottom of the URC table with just two wins in all competitions this season, and have been the lowest-ranked Welsh region for a number of years.

But, addressing supporters at a fans' forum, Wright underlined the region's financial health following their takeover in September 2023, saying they are now debt free and on course to record a profit this year.

He added that a new funding deal with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) and the four regions is close to being agreed, with final paperwork being assessed.

That deal will see an increase in playing budget, with Wright adding that five new signings – including three current internationals – have already been agreed, with the promise of one "marquee" signing.

Tiatia is already involved in recruitment and retention - with Wales hooker Elliot Dee already signing a new deal.

An experienced assistant coach will also come in, with a focus on the defence - the position Tiatia held before stepping up to replace Dai Flanagan on an interim basis in November.

"He will get results"

Tiatia, a twice capped All Black, arrived at Rodney Parade on a three year deal in the summer, marking his return to Welsh rugby after making 99 appearances for the Ospreys between 2006 and 2010.

The 53-year-old former No.8 had previously worked as head coach in Japan, as well as specialist roles with sides in Super Rugby.

He said in December he was "enjoying sitting in the seat" following Flanagan's departure, but remained tight-lipped on his future.

But there is now an agreement in principle with Tiatia to remain at the helm, with the deal set to be made official imminently.

"We've been extremely impressed since he took over as interim," Wright told supporters at Rodney Parade. "He came into a difficult situation, but we've seen him galvanise the squad, he has great stature. He's a lot about culture, performance and stepping up. He will get results out of this team."

Dragons officials say there had been significant interest in the job, but have faith in Tiatia who has put forward names of potential assistants, while a senior adviser could also come in to add to the coaching reshuffle.

Financial boost and stadium plans

There will be changes on the playing field too, with Dragons chiefs admitting past recruitment had been "poor" but changes to processes had already been made.

Wright claimed five deals for new faces had already been struck, and would be aiming for five more, while he also eased fears of Wales backrower Aaron Wainwright leaving the region with still 18-months remaining on his current deal.

"We recognise things need to change and that we need to invest – not that we haven't over the last 18 months," said Wright, a former Pontypool and Cardiff scrum-half turned successful businessman.

He claimed the ownership group – including American biotech tycoon Hoyoung Huh – had each put in six figure sums since taking the region back from the WRU.

Former chair David Buttress had claimed the Dragons were close to going out of business when the deal looked to have stalled in the summer of 2023, but Wright maintained that now debt had been cleared they could focus on investing into the playing squad and their Rodney Parade home.

That includes, Wright says, more than £100,000 already spent on feasibility studies for development of an unused area within the stadium footprint following talks with local authorities and stakeholders.

As well as ownership cash injections, further funding is set to come from the new Professional Rugby Agreement with the WRU to cover the next four years.

WRU chief executive Abi Tierney had recently said the agreement was a priority and key to the governing body's strategic plan.

Wright told fans a final draft of the paperwork had been received by the regions, adding he was "very hopeful" of finalising the agreement in the next couple of weeks. It would see an increase in the regions' current salary cap of £4.5m.

The deal would to guarantee the existence of four regions in Welsh rugby in the medium-term.