Adam Warren leaving Dragons as talks continue with quartet

Director of rugby Dean Ryan has had a strong recruitment drive with nine signings confirmed for next season.

However, that means the Dragons have to trim their squad with eight backs and six forwards confirmed as heading for the door.

Leaving are full-back Will Talbot-Davies, wings Jonah Holmes and Owen Jenkins, centres Warren and Tom Griffiths, fly-half/full-back Josh Lewis, fly-half Evan Lloyd, scrum-half Dan Babos, props Greg Bateman, Mesake Doge and Harry Fry, locks Joe Maksymiw and Max Williams and back rower Dan Baker.

Hooker Taylor Davies and wing Jordan Olowofela return to the Scarlets and Leicester respectively after loan spells.

However, discussions are still taking place with loosehead Aki Seiuli, lock/flanker Huw Taylor and wing Jared Rosser, as well as centre Cory Allen after a year on the sidelines.

With the budget tight, deals are likely to hinge on whether the players feel the offers are fair.

Seiuli arrived from Glasgow last summer but Wales props Rhodri Jones and Rob Evans have been signed while versatile Taylor would be low down the pecking order but useful in international periods.

TALKS: Jared Rosser remains in contract negotiations with the Dragons

Rosser has an impressive strike rate since making his debut in 2017 and the back three stocks will be low if he leaves.

The 24-year-old from Abersychan has crossed the line 25 time in 64 games and is fifth on the region’s all-time try chart.

Former Wales international Allen arrived last summer to continue his comeback from a serious knee injury.

Ryan admitted that was a gamble that hasn’t paid off but they may look to finish the rehabilitation effort after putting in so much work, with any offer likely to reflect that.

The Dragons will hold a presentation on the pitch for the confirmed leavers after the United Rugby Championship clash against the Lions, with Warren, Lewis, Doge, Makysmiw, Williams and Davies featuring in the matchday 23.

GOING: Dragons great Adam Warren

Warren is the longest serving player to be leaving with the dependable wing/centre spending seven campaigns in Newport after moving from the Scarlets in 2015.

The 31-year-old from Burry Port will make his 132nd appearance this weekend and has been a model of consistency, arguably the Dragons’ best signing in recent history.

However, the Dragons are bringing in Max Clark and Sio Tomkinson to join Jack Dixon and Aneurin Owen as options in the centre.

The exit of Holmes has been known for a while – the Wales wing is poised to sign for Ealing Trailfinders in the English Championship after turning down a fresh Welsh Rugby Union contract.

The 29-year-old arrived from Leicester in a bid to improve his Test hopes but after being encouraged to move to Wales by Wayne Pivac fell down the pecking order.

Lewis, a victim of the arrivals of JJ Hanrahan and Angus O’Brien, has announced that he is quitting professional rugby at the age of 30.

He makes his 54th appearance since arriving from Bath in 2018, battling back from ruptured knee ligaments the following year.

Fiji prop Mesake Doge signed from Brive (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

Fiji international Mesake Doge has featured prominently this season – he is joint top scorer with Rosser with five tries in 15 appearances – after being brought in because of Lloyd Fairbrother’s serious Achilles injury.

Fairbrother is back and will push Wales tighthead Leon Brown for the 3 jersey along with young props Chris Coleman and Luke Yendle.

Bateman arrived from Leicester two years ago but failed to make a big impact after being dogged by injury, limited to 22 outings, while Maksymiw also leaves after making 28 appearances over two seasons.

Talbot-Davies, Jenkins, Griffiths, Lloyd, Williams and Baker have all been fringe figures while Harry Fry, brother of flanker Ben, has not played a senior game after being signed from Gloucester two years ago.

Former Wales internationals Jamie Roberts, Richard Hibbard, Aaron Jarvis and Tavis Knoyle left during the 2021/22 campaign.