Dragons Axe Anderson

By Paul French
February 18 2005

Newport Gwent coach Chris Anderson is to part company with the region after just a season in charge.

Despite wanting to take up the option of a one year extension on his current contract, the Dragons board have decided against retaining the Australian.

Whether Anderson who had no previous experience in union before his appointment at Rodney Parade, leaves immediately or at the end of the current campaign in May or April, remains to be confirmed.

Anderson began his reign with some impressive results, but recent form and performances have seen the Dragons underachieve significantly in comparison to the success of their first campaign under Mike Ruddock.

The board are also believed to have also become dismayed with his player handling skills, ostracising Luke Charteris's Wales selection, which in turn could see the promising lock quit the region.

Before The Dragons' Heineken cup crunch match with Newcastle, Anderson became involved in a very public slanging match with Falcons' coach Rob Andrew, which in turn back fired when the English side comprehensively out played them.

Even this morning Anderson was slating the Welsh management for refusing to release more players to the Dragons'.

There have however been a few encouraging aspects of his short spell at Rodney Parade, with fitness levels noticeably rising. But clearly they are in a slump, and Anderson is viewed as too much of an inexperienced liability, which beggars the question why they appointed him the first place.

The Dragons future appears to point to a back to basics approach, particularly in line with long term benefactor Tony Brown stepping down. Michael Owen and Chris Anthony have signed on for three and two more years respectively.

Their next coach is unlikely to be untested at this level, subsequently current Harlequins backs' coach and former Gwent rugby favorite Paul Turner has been strongly linked with the role already. Current back-room staff Leigh Jones and Dai Rees cannot be ruled out. Wales under 21 coach Chris Davey could also be a strong contender.

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