Dean Ryan to leave RFU role to become Director of Rugby of Dragons

Rugby Football Union's head of international player development Dean Ryan will exit from his role to take up the Director of Rugby of Dragons.

The 52-year-old will join the Welsh regional side on 1s July and this will be his second association with the Dragons after previously working as a consultant in 2012.

Ryan joined the England board in 2016 and was responsible for leading and managing the international performance pathway and to provide a pipeline of players capable of securing sustainable success for England Rugby. During his tenure, England U20s won the U20 Six Nations Grand Slam in 2017 and reached the final of the last two World Rugby U20 Championships.

“I’d like to thank Dean for his commitment to developing the next generation of players and coaches during his time at the RFU," said RFU Chief Nigel Melville.

"Dean’s innovative approach to coach development has enabled a number of young Premiership coaches to coach at international level and for some of our younger players to experience unique leadership challenges that will benefit them in the future.

"We wish Dean every success in his new role at Dragons."

Ryan previously had the experience of working as director of rugby at Worcester Warriors, Scotland's coaching panel during 2013 Six Nations and head coach of Gloucester Rugby between 2005 and 2009.