Dai Flanagan has unfinished business to attend to as he steps into his new role as head coach at the Dragons. He was born and bred in the region and still lives there today, but he never played for the Men of Gwent.
Instead his career took him to Pontypridd, Cardiff Blues and the Ospreys ahead of a move into coaching with the Scarlets. Now, after some eight years down in Llanelli, working first with the Academy and then, for the past three seasons, as backs coach, he is taking on a high-profile job with the Dragons he says was just too good to turn down. He will work under Director of Rugby Dean Ryan, with his focus being firmly on day-to-day coaching and bringing the best out in players.
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Born in Caerphilly, Flanagan grew up in Cefn Hengoed and attended Lewis School, Pengam, starting out his rugby journey with Penallta RFC before linking up with Pontypridd, aged 17. He now lives in Ystrad Mynach, just a decent drop kick from the Dragons’ training centre.
“Penallta was my junior club. It’s the club my dad played for and my son plays for now. I was fortunate I went to a great club in Pontypridd and played most of my senior rugby there. I do feel I have got a bit of unfinished business in this region because I never played for the region,” he said.
“I did sign for Newport and I thought that was my time to come home, but then the opportunity came along to start my next career by going to the Scarlets, so I retired from playing that summer. Being part of the Dragons is one thing I can tick off now and really strive to make this region better. It was tough leaving the Scarlets. I had some good times down there and there are a lot of good people there. But the opportunity here is too good.”
What then can Dragons fans expect from the 36-year-old former fly-half in terms of his coaching philosophy? “I just want players to get better. I want to see improvement week after week after week with them. We want boys to express themselves. You look at the new track here at Rodney Parade, it’s built for players to go and play well. You look at the squad that’s being built here, we want to go out and play, we want to be smart with it. My strengths are my day-to-day coaching. It’s about growing the performances on the field and from each individual in the environment.”
So does he favour the carrot or the stick? “It’s a blend. As much work as the players put in, I will put in. I call it mirroring. So if I ask someone to be a better passer, a better kicker, I am there with them all the time. It’s about setting high standards for them and making sure they are striving to be better daily. They have the fortunate opportunity that they are professional rugby players so why not be the best they can be?
“That day to day stuff is my strength. The media stuff will come over time. I don’t think anyone is perfect in front of the media. I don’t think anyone enjoys it, if they are honest, especially Welsh people. It’s in-built in us that we are quite quiet. But that will come over time. The more honest I can be when I speak to you guys the better.”
Flanagan, who previously worked at Newport High School, will have a much-changed squad at his disposal, with some 20 players having left the region and a host of notable new signings arriving, including Welsh internationals Rob Evans, Bradley Roberts and Rhodri Jones, Welsh-qualified recruits from England Sean Lonsdale, Max Clark and George Nott, Kiwi centre Sio Tomkinson and Irish utility back JJ Hanrahan.
“The easiest way I guess I can explain it is I was sat at the dinner table and had some information through about the squad. My wife asked ‘What are you thinking looking at it?’ and I couldn’t hide my excitement. There was so much talent here already, then you add in the stardust that has been signed. I am really looking forward to meeting the playing group and getting started.”
Explaining the thinking behind Flanagan’s appointment, Ryan said: “I was incredibly impressed by his passion for the region and his desire to be involved in our new direction. When looking around Wales, we just felt this is the person that needs that next chance.
“I came on board to get this place pointed in the right direction and this is part of the process. I felt we were light in the coaching team. We have had to make some serious changes to put us on a better trajectory than we were. We have taken some risk in terms of numbers in the squad, but I am very excited about the players we have got coming in.”
As for how the new management set-up will work, he said: “Dai’s focus is going to be on day to day. It’s difficult for that to be mine with the role I have here at the club.
“Am I still going to coach? Yes. Am I responsible for rugby? Yes. How will it work? We have got to work that out. Does it change my role? It makes it a bit easier because I was probably trying to cover too many things. When it goes wrong it will be my vote, when it goes right it will be Dai’s!”
One piece of advice for Flanagan? “Stay focused on what you are good at.”
Asked about previous false dawns at the Dragons, Ryan said: “Everything needs context. False dawns are created mostly by you guys. We are still the poorest funded in the league. We are still playing against South African teams that came in and just dominated the URC. Let’s keep context. Welsh rugby has a number of challenges across all its regions in terms of what good looks like. I don’t think that answer has come out yet.”
On the question of the playing budget for next season, Ryan said: “I know what we are working towards, that is probably the best way of answering it. Conversations are still ongoing but we are working towards a figure because as a business we have to continue.”
As part of the changes off the field, backs coach Gordon Ross is leaving the Dragons, with his contract not being renewed. The former Scotland fly-half came on board from Worcester in the summer of 2020.
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