Dragons wing Ashton Hewitt ruptures knee ligaments again

The 29-year-old speedster suffered the blow to his right leg in Ystrad Mynach ahead of the New Year’s Day victory against the Scarlets in the United Rugby Championship.

Hewitt tore ligaments in his left knee when scoring against Northampton at Rodney Parade in April 2021 and went 18 months without playing competitive rugby.

The winger, who is joint second on the Dragons’ all-time try list on 36, now faces more painful rehabilitation after a scan revealed anterior cruciate ligament damage.

Hewitt, who is under contract for next season, had a successful operation on Wednesday and is unlikely to be back until the end of the year.

Ashton Hewitt on the run for the Dragons at Cardiff (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

Head coach Dai Flanagan said: “We are all devastated for Ashton and it is cruel that a player who has experienced this type of injury before now faces another spell out of the game.

“Ashton has been impressive for us this season, getting back to the levels we know he can produce and being a real catalyst for some of our better performances.

“He has undergone surgery and now starts his journey back surrounded by our medical staff and physios, and with the support and backing of us all at Dragons.

“I am sure our supporters will join us in sending our best wishes to Ashton and wishing him well with his recovery.”

The Dragons fielded the Rosser brothers, Jared and Ewan, for the first time together in the win over the Scarlets with Corey Baldwin backing them up from the bench.

BROTHERS: Dragons wingers Jared and Ewan Rosser (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

Wales star Rio Dyer missed the derby win because of concussion but it is hoped he will return for the European Challenge Cup games against Zebre and the Sharks before heading off for Six Nations duty.

Full-back/wing David Richards is yet to feature this season and has seen specialists because of a back problem.

Jordan Williams was dropped after a poor performance against Cardiff but can cover the flank as well as 15 while centre Sio Tomkinson, currently sidelined by a neck issue, can also play wing.

There are a number of youngsters knocking on the door with Wales Under-20s international Oli Andrew continuing to impress for Newport RFC after featuring for the Dragons in pre-season.

Huw Anderson and Harry Rees-Weldon are ones for the future and are developing with Pontypool and Ebbw Vale respectively.

Former Dragons full-back Ioan Davies is still training with them after being released last summer and has been in fine form for Newport.

Flanagan’s men are not in action this weekend after the New Year’s Day success against the Scarlets.

They return at Zebre Parma next Saturday in the European Challenge Cup before hosting the Sharks to finish the group stages.

The Dragons are in contention for the last 16 after starting the campaign with a bonus-point win against Oyonnax and then having to settle for a consolation in Pau when beaten by a last-gasp try.