Jackman leaves Dragons with immediate effect

Bernard Jackman has left the Dragons with immediate effect.

The former Grenoble head coach was in his second season in charge at Rodney Parade.

He replaced Kingsley Jones in 2017 after the Welsh Rugby Union took control of the team. He was 18 months into a three-year deal.

At the time of his appointment Warren Gatland said "Bernard is an ideal fit for the Dragons and I know he will be work diligently and exhaustively to ensure that the set-up both on and off the pitch at Rodney Parade is of the very highest quality.”

“He will be a huge asset to the Region, he will create the right environment to allow a talented group to become even better players at the Dragons and he is someone in whom the supporters will find they can put their trust as he will work tirelessly in his pursuit of success.”

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It was a chastening first season in charge of the Dragons, with the team winning just two PRO14 matches all season.

They've fared slightly better this season, with three wins in Conference B so far this season, but the team is still second from bottom, with only the Southern Kings below them.

The Dragons are third in Pool 1 of the Challenge Cup, with one win and two defeats, and are away at Clermont Auvergne on Saturday.

Jackman been trying to reshape the squad, he made Ross Moriarty his big-name signing during the summer.

He was recently given a four-week stadium ban, of which two were suspended for his criticism of officials, which forced him to miss games against Edinburgh on 25 November and defending champions Leinster and 1 December.

The WRU's statement said "Dragons head coach Bernard Jackman has been found guilty of a breach of code of conduct in relation to comments regarding the refereeing of his side's loss to Cardiff Blues on Saturday, 6 October.

"Jackman has received a four-week stadium ban, effective immediately, from Dragons matches, of which two weeks will be suspended until the end of the season and only imposed if there is any further breach."

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