HEAD coach Dai Flanagan has left the Dragons after the disappointing first block of the United Rugby Championship with Filo Tiatia taking over as caretaker boss.

Flanagan arrived in the summer of 2022 and had a rapid promotion when director of rugby Dean Ryan was sacked just one game into the season.

The former fly-half's contract was due to expire next year and the Dragons owners have brought an early end to his reign after a frustrating first six games.

The Rodney Parade club are one from bottom of the URC after failing to build on their opening weekend win against the Ospreys.

Tiatia, who joined as defence coach this summer, will now call the shots as interim head coach when the Rodney Parade club return to action at Cardiff on November 30.

“The decision has been mutually agreed by all parties following extensive discussions regarding the club’s performance and future direction,” read a Dragons statement.

“We thank Dai for his contribution, professionalism, and dedication to Dragons RFC throughout his time at the club and wish him and his family well for the future.

“Filo Tiatia will now take charge of the team as interim head coach, supported by the current coaching staff.

“Dragons RFC will make further announcements on the coaching team going forward in due course.”GONE: Head coach Dai Flanagan has left the DragonsGONE: Head coach Dai Flanagan has left the Dragons (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency)

Flanagan was at the helm for tumultuous time in Welsh rugby and had to navigate a raft of off-field problems.

However, he leaves with a record of just 10 wins, a draw and 37 losses from 48 games, while the Dragons finished 15th out of 16 (where they currently are) in both his seasons in charge.

His record is the worst of all the club's bosses since their 2003 inception but he has been in charge at a time of bigger budget disparity to league rivals.

Flanagan ultimately paid the price for missed opportunities in Newport at the start of the season with a last-gasp loss to the Sharks and then a narrow defeat to the Lions.

The head coach reshaped the management team last summer by promoting Sam Hobbs to forwards coach, bringing in head of performance Ryan Chambers from the Welsh Rugby Union and appointing former All Black Tiatia as defence coach.

The Ospreys great will now call the shots, for the short-term at least as the Dragons work towards a vital next block of the season that features three derby clashes and the start of the Challenge Cup as they hunt knockout rugby.

They play a development fixture against the Scarlets next weekend with the academy coaching staff in charge, as was always planned.

Meanwhile, the Dragons owners - chairman David Wright, former chairman David Buttress and Hoyoung Huh - will make their first appointment since their takeover last year.

Tiatia will be a frontrunner, if interested, after joining in the summer from his role as a head of rugby at an Auckland college.

He previously worked as head coach at Toyota Verblitz and Sunwolves in Japan and was an assistant coach with Moana Pasifika and Auckland.