Dean Ryan's absence at Rodney Parade prompted an awkward TV interview with Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan, who said he was unable to answer questions about whether director of rugby Ryan still held his role.
Reports claiming Ryan had left his position surfaced on Friday, just days after he publicly questioned the talent in the squad containing players he had signed over the summer following their opening-round United Rugby Championship 44-6 defeat to Edinburgh.
The Dragons hierarchy has provided no comment so far on those reports, but all signs point to Ryan having left the building after three years with his bosses unable to confirm anything until legal matters are finalised.
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Former fly-half Flanagan, who was brought in by Ryan this summer to lead the senior programme, has taken charge of media duties and training this week whereas Ryan took the lead against Bristol and Wasps in pre-season plus in Edinburgh.
Now in charge of a side who haven't won at Rodney Parade since April 2021 and haven't won in front of fans there since February 2020, Flanagan has a job to galvanise his squad and start producing results.
Ahead of the URC clash against Munster in Newport on Sunday, Flanagan was quizzed on TV by reporter and presenter Lauren Jenkins, who asked all the questions fans have been wanting the answers to on Scrum V, but to no avail.
Here's what was said:
Question: It's Dean Ryan we're used to speaking to before kick-off. He's not here this afternoon. What can you tell us about that?
Dai Flanagan: At the moment I can't say anything on that matter. I'm here to talk about the game and talk about the Munster game coming up.
Q: Can you confirm he is still director of rugby at the region?
DF: Again, I can't confirm or deny anything at the moment. I'm here to talk about the game.
Q: And you can't refute any reports that he's left his role, either?
DF: Again, unfortunately, I'm here to talk about the game coming up, sorry.
Q: I completely understand perhaps it's not your position, Dai, to answer these questions but you are the only representative from the Dragons we're speaking to today. Do you feel that the fans you're asking to support you deserve a bit of transparency?
DF: Look, in due course the fans will understand where the club's at at the moment and it's important the club represent and we put on a performance today that can make the fans proud.
Q: So there may be some clarification over the coming week?
DF: When and where that's due, again, I'm unable to talk about that. I'm just here to talk about Munster.
Eyebrows were certainly raised when Ryan publicly criticised his players and questioned their talent after the loss to Edinburgh last week. "We've got supposed talent in that side, but I don't see it at the moment," he said. "I don't see the work rate that is needed. I don't see the desire to be in the right position."
Former Wales and Dragons forward Andrew Coombs took issue with that response, claiming it exposed what the Dragons culture is really like. Speaking on Scrum V ahead of commentary duties, he said: "I really don't think he was [in a position to do that]. When you look at the Dragons performances under his dictatorship, leadership, whatever you want to call it, it was poor. They didn't win a home game last season.
"To go on live television post-match and not take any accountability for the performance or the result, it's pretty poor. I think he's exposed himself in doing that, he's exposed how the Dragons culture is, how bad things have got here over the last 12-18 months.
"Five new players in that team against Edinburgh, and you've thrown them under the bus straight away. It's not a good place to be."
Former Wales international Mark Jones said: "There's no doubt there's something amiss. They don't look a team that's as tight as they could be and working as hard for each other as they could be, and I'm sure Dean must be part of that process because he's the DOR [director of rugby]. I'm sure something will come out in the not too distant future but it probably is the worst-kept secret around at the moment."
Asked whether Ryan's TV comments caused any disruption inside the Dragons set-up this week, Flanagan replied: "The players have been excellent this week. They stood together, they've stood tall, we've a game of rugby we're looking forward to and sometimes it's the best way we can show up."
As for his own confidence in the squad, Flanagan added: "My opinion hasn't changed since the day I arrived. There's lots of talent in this region. My job now is to get the best out of that group of players and that's a week by week process, but one I'll start today."
Coombs echoed that optimism, adding: "They're in a position now where they can take the bull by the horns. They've got quality players. I think the squad is outstanding. This is the best squad the Dragons have ever had and I really hope they can do something this season."
The plan had been for Flanagan to take a hands-on role with the senior squad while former Bristol, Gloucester and Worcester boss Ryan dealt with off-field matters.
With a financial package likely being worked on by lawyers, an added complication is that Ryan is also on the Dragons board as a director, with the accounts for the year ending June 30, 2021, stating he was paid £232,565 (down from £284,012 in 2020 due to Covid).
He succeeded Bernard Jackman to enjoy a relatively strong first season in charge before a mixed second and then a 2021/22 campaign which yielded just two wins.
He has been at the helm of a summer recruitment drive which has seen the likes of Rob Evans, Rhodri Jones, Bradley Roberts, JJ Hanrahan, Sean Lonsdale and Sio Tomkinson sign on the dotted line.
