Ryan looks for clarity over Six Nations player release
DEAN Ryan questioned the process of Wales player release and described the death of Dragons academy centre Ross Mohring as “tragic” after defeat by Leinster.
Ryan saw his side beaten 35-29 by the Irish side on Friday. The Dragons earned a losing bonus point, but Ryan said he was confused why other regions were given international players and not his.
Wales released four players for Guinness PRO14 duty last weekend – Scarlets pair Ryan Elias and Jake Ball and Rhys Carre and Lloyd Williams of Cardiff Blues.
None of those four have been involved for Wales in the 2021 Six Nations so far.
By contrast, the four Dragons players in Wayne Pivac’s squad – Leon Brown, Elliot Dee, Aaron Wainwright and Nick Tompkins – have all been in action.
Wales’ policy is not to release players seen as key parts of their matchday squad in Six Nations down weeks.
Ryan still called for clarity over the issue of player release and said: “I don’t understand. I was pretty sure everyone was in the Wales camp for the whole of the Wales camp. Then I read the media.
“I don’t know – you probably know more than me. There were four players – two go to Scarlets and two go to Cardiff.
“I was under the impression they were in the Wales camp for the whole of the Six Nations.”
Ryan revealed he had not asked if his four Wales players could be available and added: “I was under the impression it wasn’t an option because they were staying in the camp because of the Covid risk.
“I definitely want to gain an understanding of what the policy is. I didn’t ask any questions because I was of the understanding they weren’t coming out. It will be on the list.”
Before Friday night’s game with Leinster, both the Irish side and the Dragons held a minute’s silence in memory of Mohring who died last week.
The Bassaleg School product was a centre with the Dragons Under-18s and a talented cricketer.
Ryan said: “It is a tragic situation. It is one of the Dragons family and their extended family that is feeling that pain.
“We’re only just understanding what difficulties people are having during this period. For it to be such a young member of our region is just tragic.
“We’ve got to look after everybody – that’s the message. I don’t think you can make assumptions everyone is OK because we’re all in a space we’ve never been in before.
“We’re all experiencing things we’ve never done before. We’ve got to ensure we’re looking out for everyone.”