‘My lowest point’ – Welsh head coach fighting for his job after ‘unacceptable’ defeat

Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan before the EPCR Challenge Cup round of 16 match at Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow. Picture date: Saturday April 1, 2023.

Dragons boss Dai Flanagan understands that he will inevitably come under pressure following another dreadful season for the region.

The 38-year-old was appointed as the Welsh side’s head coach in June 2022 and oversaw some improvement in his first season in charge.

Although they finished second bottom in the United Rugby Championship and the lowest out of all the Welsh teams, they picked up double the amount victories they had in 2021/22.

The region have seemingly regressed in 2023/24, however, and so far have just a solitary victory to their name.

Latest defeat

Their latest loss was a heavy 55-21 defeat to Cardiff, with the first half particularly embarrassing for the Newport outfit.

The Dragons currently reside at the bottom of the URC table and Flanagan admits that his job is under threat.

“I’ve been in rugby a long time and this is the lowest I’ve been,” he said.

“I’d imagine I’ll come under pressure and rightly so. I’ve watched football and rugby for years where people ask if you’re the right guy and it’s not for me to say.

“I’m quite eyes wide open to the world. It’s my first gig and I’ll go about my business as I always do.

“It’s tough, it’s difficult [but] it’s been tough and difficult for many people before me.

“It’s up to me to make sure I improve this team. It’ll take time, the whole thing takes time, but we can’t accept that.”

First half display

Flanagan particularly struggled to comprehend their first-half display, which saw them concede over a point a minute and go into the break 45-7 behind.

“There was a good buzz around the group before the game and then you see that first half and it’s difficult to understand why,” he added.

“But we’ve got to figure out why because that’s not acceptable in a derby game against your local rivals.

“We massively froze, collectively and individually. They put some pressure on us and we cracked. Again, we’re sorry. I’m personally sorry. That’s not acceptable.

“It’s really difficult. I really enjoy working with this group of players and I have high expectations of them. I believe they’re super talented. But they have to prove that to me. Today, it wasn’t there, was it.”