Former Wales international fly-half Rhys Patchell is embarking on a new venture, taking up a coaching position with Welsh regional side Dragons. The 32-year-old pivot has been appointed as a kicking coach for the Rodney Parade outfit.
Intriguingly, Patchell has made this move without officially announcing his retirement from playing. This suggests a potential dual role or a gradual transition away from the playing field, keeping fans and pundits guessing about his future on-pitch plans.
Dragons confirmed that Patchell will be contributing his expertise on a part-time basis, scheduled to work with the squad twice a week. His focus will be on refining the crucial kicking skills of the players, an area where he excelled throughout his distinguished playing career.
Patchell boasts a wealth of experience from various top-level environments. Domestically, he is well-known for his time representing Welsh regions Cardiff and Scarlets. He also had a brief but notable spell in Super Rugby with the Highlanders and most recently played for Green Rockets in Japan, following the 2023 Rugby World Cup cycle.
On the international stage, Patchell earned 22 caps for Wales, accumulating 82 points and featuring prominently in the build-up to and during the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. His strategic awareness and accurate boot were key assets for the national side.
His addition to the Dragons` coaching setup provides the region with access to recent, high-level playing knowledge, particularly in the technical discipline of kicking. This appointment marks a clear step for Patchell towards a career beyond playing, even if the final whistle on his playing days hasn`t been formally blown just yet.
Rupert Caldwell 
Tristan Blackwood