Turner could return as Dragons ambassador - boss Flanagan

The former Newport and Newbridge fly-half called the shots as boss of the region between 2005 and 2011.

Turner is currently head coach of Ampthill in the English Championship after a career that has also featured off-field roles with Sale, Bedford, Saracens, Gloucester, Harlequins and Wasps.

The 63-year-old is a well-respected figure in the game and the Dragons are keen to tap into his knowledge.

However, Flanagan is keen to put the record straight about the scale of influence that Turner would have on rugby matters if a role is rubber-stamped, with the former boss not set to be a major influence at the Ystrad Mynach training base.

Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan with Leinster boss Leo Cullen at Rodney Parade (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

“There has been a leak somewhere and once the club can give official clarity on any role we will,” said Flanagan, who took the reins when director of rugby Dean Ryan was sacked a game into last season.

“This has made it sound like Paul is coming in as a director of rugby but if we were to bring anyone in then they wouldn’t be full-time, finances dictate that.

“Paul is a good guy and I have been very close to him for years and I do believe he can add to the region by being a great ambassador for us.

“He can be a scout who also helps with young coaches, being a phone call away and a guy that they can lean on. I like him a lot and let’s see how the relationship can grow.”

Turner is good friends with Dragons commercial director Jonathan Westwood, a former teammate who also played for Newport and Newbridge, while he played alongside new part-owner David Wright for 'Bridge.

The Dragons have endured a winless start to the United Rugby Championship after home losses to Edinburgh, Cardiff and Leinster plus a defeat at Munster.

Flanagan’s budget means that he hasn’t been able to replace defence coach Simon Cross after he left to become Old Glory DC in Major League Rugby in pre-season.

The Dragons are also operating without a head of recruitment following Rob Burgess’ departure for Bath, with that void a big concern regarding retention as well as signings as the transfer market begins to ramp up.

The Rodney Parade club are now privately owned after chairman David Buttress formed a consortium with Wright and Hoyoung Huh to take over from the Welsh Rugby Union.

The governing body’s accounts showed that £9.7million was spent on the Dragons in the financial year ending June 2023, up from £9.1m the previous year.