Wales winger Jonah Holmes to leave Dragons

The Wales wing/full-back headed to Rodney Parade two years ago to try and push on in his Test career.

However, Dragons director of rugby Dean Ryan revealed last month that the seven-times capped speedster had opted not to sign fresh terms with the governing body.

Holmes failed with an appeal against his wage valuation that was supported by his region and a return to England now looks likely.

Players in Wales’ group of elite players have 80 per cent of their salaries paid by the Union, so the 29-year-old will not be at the Dragons next season as they cannot afford to exceed the figure he has turned down.

GOING: Jonah Holmes will leave the Dragons

“The situation is quite clear. He has turned down a national 38 contract, I presume to explore other options,” said Ryan.

“I don’t know what they are, but it’s out of our control to be able to continue a conversation at the [financial] levels the national 38 supported.

“We have been quite transparent with Jonah. Without national 38 support, we can’t offer a contract of a value that he is looking for. Right from the off that was taking him into other markets.

“We supported him to appeal, he wasn’t successful and we were frustrated with that. That’s allowed him to go to other markets.

“I don’t know what the outcome of that is but once that happens it rarely comes back. We don’t have the money to support an offer to him now.”

Holmes will not be able to play Test rugby under the 60-cap rule if he isn’t playing for one of the four regions.

However, after being convinced to move to Wales by Wayne Pivac the winger has fallen down the pecking order and missed out on the squads for the autumn internationals and Six Nations.