THE ZOOM CALL WHICH SIGNALLED END OF AN ERA FOR NIC
NIC Cudd is on the lookout for a new club.
It is likely he will not be short of options.
When the Dragons issued their list of released players and coaches last week, it was no real surprise that the 31-year-old’s name was on it.
He had, after all, played just 11 games for the region over the past three seasons, with a series of major knee injuries incapacitating him.
It is tough on Cudd, the former Scarlets flanker who lives in Foelgastell in Carmarthenshire. He helps coach Tumble RFC and will continue to do so while intending to carry on as a player.
Many will regret they will never get the chance to see this warrior of player in Dragons colours again.
Typically, one of the game’s gents took the region’s decision to let him go with good grace.
“I’ve been at the Dragons for eight years and had a great time. I’ve enjoyed everything about it – the place, the boys and the supporters,” he says. “I’m going to miss it, definitely. “But life goes on.
“I spoke to our director of rugby Dean Ryan on a Zoom call.
“To be honest, I probably expected what was coming.
“I haven’t played for the Dragons in a while. There was one game for Ebbw Vale in March, then coronavirus hit and I didn’t have a chance to play again.
“It’s just one of those things.
“I did my knee in training in the February of the 2018-19 season. I’d signed another one-year contract with the hope of being fit around the autumn time.
“But I had a few setbacks along the way and the injury took a lot longer than I thought to clear up. It happens, and you can’t help it.
“Thankfully, it did get right, but who could predict coronavirus hitting us and putting a stop to all rugby?”
Who indeed?
Cudd has never been capped by Wales.
But he leaves Rodney Parade with a chorus of approval ringing in his ears.
Indeed, it is no exaggeration to say many view him as a true Dragons great.
Nic Cudd on the charge for the Dragons against Leinster.
Supporters are usually good judges of such matters.
They scrutinise every game and can be relied on to pinpoint who’s contributing blood, sweat and tears for a team.
So it was no surprise recently when an online ballot for the openside slot in an Ultimate Dragons XV saw Cudd take the honours with 36 percent of the vote, winning the day ahead of Colin Charvis, Jason Forster, Richard Parks, Jamie Ringer and Ollie Griffiths.
“It was flattering,” says Cudd. “How I managed to have more votes than someone like Colin Charvis, or people like Jamie Ringer and Jason Forster, I don’t know.
“Dragons supporters have been great to me over the years and I can’t thank them enough.”
Rob Appleyard, who helped lure Cudd to the Dragons from the Scarlets in 2012, is happy to step forward to explain the player’s elevated status among supporters and fellow players.
“Nic’s just a good bloke and a top player,” says Appleyard, a former Wales flanker.
“When he came to the Dragons, a lot of people were saying he was too small.
“But I told them there was no bigger heart.
“He’s brilliant over the ball, has a relentless work-rate and no way of easing off. He’s flat-out every time he takes the field.”
Aside from the well-documented injury traumas, have other factors worked against him? “I guess rugby has developed to the point where teams want sevens who can make breaks, carry ball and handle in midfield,” says Appleyard.
“Nic can do those things, but his Xfactor is his work at the contact area, his relentless tackling and his willingness to put his body on the line.
“The Dragons also have a lot of young back-rowers pushing through.
“But experience is important and Nic has it in spades. He also has huge quality.
“People quickly.
“After those initial doubts about his size when we signed him, two or three games in, all I heard was: “Wow, this guy’s one of the toughest players we’ve seen.
“For me, he’s an excellent player.” Cudd has no intention of calling time on his rugby career.
“The plan is to keep playing,” he says.
“I’ve been unfortunate over the past couple of years with two bad knee injuries, which have kept me out for two and a half of the last three seasons.
“But the bumps have cleared up and I’m only 31.
“I’d like to think I could something to a team.
“I still feel I’m young enough play.
“If anything the injuries have allowed me to rest other parts of my body.
“So I’ll just see what options I have available. Hopefully, something will materialise.
“But at the moment it’s strange times with more to think about than just rugby.”
One last question, how did he feel when Ryan broke the news to him? “Like I say, I expected it,” he said.
“I hadn’t played for the Dragons for a year and over three seasons I’d played for only half a season.
“I still thought I’d done a lot for them over the years and played a lot over so many seasons.
“But it’s the way it is. learn to respect him still add to