THE Dragons’ season may have been stopped in its tracks by coronavirus but Argus readers still get their annual chance to honour their top performer.

Voting is open for the Argus Dragon of the Year with six of Dean Ryan’s squad in the running for the honour.

Back row forward Taine Basham, tighthead prop Leon Brown, fly-half Sam Davies, loosehead prop Brok Harris, lock Matthew Screech and scrum-half Rhodri Williams are the candidates after strong campaigns for the region.

Throughout the coming days we are giving the lowdown on the potential winners that are looking to succeed last year’s winner Aaron Wainwright.

Today’s nominee is RHODRI WILLIAMS

South Wales Argus:

The scrum-half was an influential figure after heading to Rodney Parade from Bristol in 2018/19 but new boss Dean Ryan gave him an even more important role.

With Cory Hill on Wales duty, the director of rugby opted for Williams as his skipper at the start of the season.

Ryan was reluctant to appoint a club captain, insisting that he needed plenty of leaders, yet his scrum-half did the job for the rest of the campaign.

The three-times capped Wales international is not a bawler but led through his actions, forming a strong half-back partnership with fellow nominee Sam Davies.

The duo gave the Dragons direction, playing in the right areas at the right time, and were frequently paired together.

Williams played in 16 of 19 games, with 14 of them in the 9 jersey after his displays ensure Tavis Knoyle and Luke Baldwin had to merely battle to be back-up wearing 21.

He was hugely influential in the strong festive derby performances against the Scarlets, when he scored a vital try against his former side, Cardiff Blues and Ospreys.

South Wales Argus:

The 26-year-old signed a fresh contract in December and hailed new boss Ryan for the impact he is having on both the club and his game.

“We are moving in the right direction and I want to be a part of it. It's a challenge and hopefully we can keep building," said Williams.

"I have no regrets about that decision to come back to Wales because it's a pleasure to be part of the club and I am loving my time here.

"I get challenged every day that I come in and as a rugby player that is what you want – you don't want to get too comfortable and you want to be challenged to keep improving.

"This move has improved me as a player, 100 per cent. Dean challenges you day to day and he opens you up to learning different ways of the game."

It was telling that Ryan made Williams one of the first players that he retained up for the second year of his Rodney Parade reign.

"It is fantastic news that Rhodri has become the latest player to sign new terms with us," he said in December. "He is an important player in our group and has embraced captaining the team."

Vote for your Dragon of the year: HERE