Dragons boss Dean Ryan calms fears over Sam Davies exit

The Rodney Parade region, who are owned by the Welsh Rugby Union, have negotiated 25 per cent salary reductions with players for the next year because of the financial impact of the coronavirus crisis.

The agreement has been signed off by the Professional Rugby Board and now the Dragons are sorting out the paperwork with individual players.

A report suggested that Davies, who arrived from the Ospreys last summer, had failed to agree a pay cut and was considering an immediate move to England.

The 26-year-old denied that on social media and director of rugby Ryan is confident that his fly-half will commit to the club.

"I've got no concerns about Sam," said Ryan. "Like all players, he's going through the implementation process of our pay agreement.

"It's not about Sam or anything, there's a period where we need to implement what we have negotiated with PRB. There is no 'yes' or 'no' at this particular time."

"We were very keen to get people to understand our challenge as a business at the same time as getting them to seek some of the solutions that they would appreciate in that situation," continued Ryan.

"I am pretty pleased at where we got to and I am delighted that it has been signed off by the PRB. We will go through an implementation period now of that particular pay negotiation. We will be talking about how that works with all of our players.

"The whole consultation period had opportunities to voice concerns from all sides. That was very powerful within the group and we would welcome those things, there are no surprises."

The Dragons hierarchy will complete the work on the pay cuts for the coming campaign and then Ryan will lead talks with those whose deals expire next summer, including Davies.

The fly-half turned down offers from overseas to head for Newport in order to push for Wales caps and is sure to have interest again after impressing in his first year as a Dragon.

"We are always in contract negotiations. We are in a business where 30 per cent (of our squad) are out of contract every year, there's a rolling element to it," said Ryan.

"We are very keen that contract negotiations are about rugby and not about pay disputes or anything else.

"The integrity of my conversations needs to be about how I feel somebody is playing and not about solving any pay disputes. I don't want to sit in a rugby conversation and have it pulled around by other elements."

The Dragons return to action for the first time since March when they take on the Ospreys in the Guinness PRO14 on Sunday.

Hooker Richard Hibbard is pleased to have got wage matters sorted ahead of his third season at Rodney Parade.

"At the Dragons I think we have handled it superbly," said the former Wales and Lions front row forward.

"All the boys have been honest, all the management and the chairman have been honest. We know the problems globally and it's not just in rugby.

"I am extremely proud of the group and the way that we have dealt with it to come out of the other end. It's so nice that it's done and dusted, it's in the background and we can concentrate on the rugby now."