DRAGONS SWITCH JUST FOR KICKS?
THE Dragons have targeted the signing of Wales international Rhys Patchell while they also want Leigh Halfpenny as a kicking coach. Both Patchell and Halfpenny were released by the Scarlets at the end of the season and are now free agents.
Patchell, who is on the bench for the World XV against the Barbarians this afternoon, has been in negotiations with the Dragons, and now has to decide whether the money on offer is enough.
At his best the 30-year-old is one of the most talented outside-halves in the UK but he has been plagued by a number of injuries over the past few seasons which has stalled his progress.
The Dragons are in need of fresh blood in the No. 10 jersey after releasing JJ Hanrahan from a three-year contract to join Connacht, and Sam Davies’ decision to sign for Grenoble.
As it stands they only have Angus O’Brien and Will Reed as options at outside-half next season, which makes recruiting a high-quality playmaker a priority.
Patchell, who was not chosen as part of Warren Gatland’s extended Rugby World Cup training squad, has won 22 caps for Wales, three short of the 25 required to ply his trade outside of the country and remain eligible for the national side.
The Dragons have also sounded out Halfpenny about the potential of coming on board as a senior kicking coach who could also work with the academy.
Prolific goal-kicker Halfpenny is in Gatland’s World Cup plans but at 34-years of age it is unclear whether the 104 times-capped international will prolong his playing career.
Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan has already held talks with Halfpenny about coming on board as a kicking coach.
Flanagan is a big admirer of the Gorseinon man who he coached while at the Scarlets, and wants to create a strong culture both on and off the field at Rodney Parade.
Three years ago Halfpenny was one of 10 players selected for the Welsh Rugby Union’s player to coach programme, while he was invited into the Wales U20s camp by Byron Hayward to help the likes of Dan Edwards, Josh Phillips, and Iestyn Hopkins work on their kicking games.
He also helped coach the Scarlets academy during his time in Llanelli.
While a professional coaching career almost certainly awaits Halfpenny, first he must decide whether he wants to continue playing, with high-ranking sources telling us the Wales coaching staff are keen to see him remain in Wales as a player next season.
Whether the Dragons can afford Halfpenny as a player is another thing entirely given the limited playing budgets in Wales over the next couple of seasons, and the fact wages are getting significantly driven down.
But coaching and backroom staff are not part of the salary cap in Wales, and the Dragons have already held talks with Halfpenny over a coaching role.