Dean Ryan isolating after Dragons' second coronavirus case

The director of rugby is self-isolating after the region’s weekly round of testing revealed that one of his assistants, who has not been named, has Covid-19.

Ryan and other members of the coaching team who came into close contact with the individual in last Sunday’s PRO14 encounter with Ulster will not be at Rodney Parade this weekend.

The Argus understands that backs coach Gordon Ross, who joined from Worcester this summer, will be in charge for the fixture against Munster.

The game will go ahead after all players returned negative tests while Ulster have not been affected.

ISOLATING: Dragons boss Dean Ryan

“Dragons Rugby has returned one positive case for COVID-19 in the region’s management team, as part of Welsh Rugby’s testing programme in the round of tests taken week commencing Monday, October 26,” read a club statement.

“All subsequent Public Health Wales and Government guidelines are being followed and the individual – who is asymptomatic - is currently isolating.

“The individual involved was part of the travelling group to Ireland at the weekend. Members of the wider management group have now been identified by Dragons as potential close contacts, due to the travel protocols that are designed to protect players, and are currently self-isolating.

“None of the Ulster team or players have been affected.

“This wider group includes director of Dragons Rugby, Dean Ryan, who will not be in attendance for the Guinness PRO14 fixture with Munster Rugby at Rodney Parade this Sunday afternoon.

“The fixture is not affected by the case. Given this is a confidential and private health matter, Dragons Rugby will be making no further comment at this stage.”

It is the second positive test returned by the Dragons after Jamie Roberts missed the derby fixtures against the Ospreys and Scarlets in August.