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Dragons RFC statement: Paul Turner
By Ian Cameron
Dragons RFC have confirmed the rumoured return of former coach Paul Turner, who will be contributing to the club in a consultancy capacity for the remainder of the 2023/24 season.
The Dragons unoffically sacked Dean Ryan as director of rugby last year just one game into the URC season and have been facing something of a coaching deficit since. Turner will help fill the void, working part-time with the Dragons while continuing to serve as the Head Coach at Ampthill RFC.
Bringing a wealth of experience, Turner has a distinguished history in off-field roles with Sale, Bedford, Saracens, Gloucester, Harlequins, and Wasps. His multifaceted role at Dragons includes player recruitment, establishing scouting connections, and supporting the development of the club's pathway system. Additionally, Turner will assume a mentoring position for the club's coaches and serve as an advisor to the new Board of Dragons RFC.
A statement reads: "Turner – who previously worked at the club between 2005 and 2011 – is joining the Men of Gwent on a part-time basis in a wide-ranging role, that fully compliments his current role as Head Coach at Ampthill RFC."
Paul Turner said: “I’m looking forward to getting back involved with Dragons and assisting in any way I can in this role, with a club and region I have a great affinity for.
“My main focus remains with Ampthill, who I remain fully committed to, but this is an exciting opportunity for me to once again support Gwent rugby, the new Board at Dragons, plus Dai Flanagan and his coaching team.”
Head Coach Dai Flanagan said: “I have a long-term relationship with Paul and so I’m really pleased he is joining us in this consultancy role.
“Paul is a well-respected figure in Welsh rugby and someone I have trusted for a long-time.
“His vast experience and knowledge will be an asset to the club, in particular the work he can do with player recruitment and enhancing our pathway system.”
The Dragons are coming off a rough weekend, going down 33-10 to Leinster at Rodney Parade, with Wales flanker Taine Basham red carded for an elbow to the head of fly-half Ross Byrne.
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Latest Comments
No he's just limited in what he can do. Like Scott Robertson. And Eddie Jones.
Sometimes it doesn't work out so you have to go looking for another national coach who supports his country and believes in what he is doing. Like NZ replacing Ian Foster. And South Africa bringing Erasmus back in to over see Neinbar.
This is the real world. Not the fantasy oh you don't need passion for your country for international rugby. Ask a kiwi, or a south african or a frenchman.
Go to commentsDont complain too much or start jumping to conclusions.
Here in NZ commentators have been blabbing that our bottom pathway competition the NPC (provincial teams only like Taranaki, Wellington etc)is not fit for purpose ie supplying players to Super rugby level then they started blabbing that our Super Rugby comp (combined provincial unions making up, Crusaders, Hurricanes, etc) wasn't good enough without the South African teams and for the style SA and the northern powers play at test level.
Here is what I reckon, Our comps are good enough for how WE want to play rugby not how Ireland, SA, England etc play. Our comps are high tempo, more rucks, mauls, running plays, kicks in play, returns, in a game than most YES alot of repetition but that builds attacking skillsets and mindsets. I don't want to see world teams all play the same they all have their own identity and style as do England (we were scared with all this kind of talk when they came here) World powerhouse for a reason, losses this year have been by the tiniest of margins and could have gone either way in alot of games. Built around forward power and blitz defence they have got a great attack Wingers are chosen for their Xfactor now not can they chase up and unders all day. Stick to your guns its not far off
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