DRAGONS boss Dai Flanagan has challenged Josh Reynolds, David Richards and Brodie Coghlan to kick on at Rodney Parade next season after the homegrown trio signed new contracts.
Loosehead prop Reynolds has extended his stay for another season, wing/full-back Richards has signed a long-term deal while hooker Brodie Coghlan has signed a new academy deal.
They follow Harri Keddie, Elliot Dee, Lloyd Fairbrother, Ollie Griffiths, Jack Dixon, Ashton Hewitt, Joe Davies, Jared Rosser and Ewan Rosser in agreeing fresh terms but Ross Moriarty turned down a deal and has left for Brive.
Head coach Flanagan said: “It’s always exciting to see homegrown talent come through our system and developing with us.
“Josh is a young prop at the early stages of his journey who now needs game time. Being surrounded by experienced internationals, the likes of Rhodri Jones and Aki Seiuli, is vital to his development.
“Dai is a talent who showed us his potential with that double against Zebre before he unfortunately picked up an injury. He’s keen to get back next season and really kick on again.
“Brodie epitomises what a Gwent hooker should be. He’s tough, uncompromising and has made the most of opportunities this season to show his ability. We’re excited to see his continued progress.”
Richards is on the comeback trail after suffering a serious hamstring tear against the Lions at Ellis Park in November.
The 23-year-old, who went to Monmouth School, earned a first team chance at the end of last season by starring for Newport RFC, who he helped lift the Premiership Cup with a man of the match performance at Principality Stadium.
After being moved from full-back to the wing, Richards scored an impressive double on his first Dragons start against Zebre at the end of October.
He was hoping to kick on but then ruptured his right hamstring when side-stepping against the Lions in the United Rugby Championship clash.
Richards will aim to push back into the XV by having a strong pre-season while Reynolds will look to get back on track at Rodney Parade.
The loosehead has made 41 appearances since his 2017 debut but just four of them have been this season after struggling for game time behind Jones and Seiuli.
At 24, he is still young in propping years and has been learning his trade with Newport RFC in the Premiership.
Reynolds will look to be more of a prominent figure next season when battling with Jones and Seiuli, who is set to extend his Dragons stay.
Former Wales loosehead Rob Evans has also been on the fringes this season, making just two starts and nine appearances since signing from the Scarlets, and is set for the exit.
Coughlan made a huge impression after getting a first team chance while Wales international Elliot Dee was on the comeback trail.
The 22-year-old from Newport made a series of lively cameos before a first start against Glasgow in January’s United Rugby Championship clash at Rodney Parade.
Coughlan has signed fresh terms and will look to push Dee and Bradley Roberts along with James Benjamin and Ellis Shipp, who he leaped ahead of in the pecking order last autumn.
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