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BREAKING NEWS: Fussell is leaving Dragons

10:39am Tuesday 9th February 2010


NEWPORT Gwent Dragons favourite Richard Fussell will leave Rodney Parade at the end of the season after signing a two-year deal with the Ospreys.

Rumours had circulated for some time that the 25-year-old winger was Liberty Stadium bound.

Today the Ospreys confirmed the move with their head coach Sean Holley saying: "Clearly, with Shane Williams, Tommy Bowe, Nikki Walker and now Kristian Phillips and Tom Prydie all getting called up for international rugby at different stages of the season, we felt that we needed to add strength to our wing department to cover for these players.

"We also see Tom as someone who in the longer term will emerge as a full-back, so we were in no doubt about the need to bring someone in.

"We were looking for someone who was Welsh, who was a consistent player, and in Richard, we saw somebody who has hit some good form, understands a sound defensive system, has the ability to kick off his left foot and has become a proven finisher.

"He has all the attributes that we look for in a winger at the Ospreys."

The Merthyr-born Fussell, a Wales Under-21s international, has made 78 appearances for the Dragons since his debut in 2005, scoring 23 tries.


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Gareth, Newport says...
11:01am Tue 9 Feb 10

...pipping Gareth Thomas as rugby's worst kept secret.

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RugbyFever, Pontypool says...
11:08am Tue 9 Feb 10

One word - DISGRACE.

The WRU need to sort this out. Sean Holley actually states that he is going to be a 'cover player' only likely to play for the O's in the developpment anglo welsh cup. Enjoy the bench at Neath, because thats where you will end up!

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nick@completelycare.co.uk, Oxford says...
11:21am Tue 9 Feb 10

Fussy's last season of regular rugby at the top level then. I agree, the WRU need to start managing this situation or there is no point in 4 regions. There are too many good players not getting enough exposure at the highest level due to the hording of players by certain regions and his does nothing for the future of Welsh rugby.

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newportsfinest, newport says...
11:51am Tue 9 Feb 10

Im such a happy guy, cos I know I can start making money out of this Psychic thing.

All we need now is for confirmation of us being a development team to come through and Im there.

Im looking forward to seeing how Dobbin responds to this "breaking news"

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Oddjob, Newport says...
12:24pm Tue 9 Feb 10

As "Gareth" says, rugby's worst kept secret. The four regions are individual businesses and as such can sign who they like. It's a Professional game and players will do what they think is the best for their own career and pocket. The WRU have no control on a free market place, Directors of the regions do.

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username2, newport says...
12:49pm Tue 9 Feb 10

I think after a couple more years Fuss could have left as a crowd favourite but seeing him leave now to sit on the Ospreys bench or playing for Neath leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. Hopefully Will Harries will step into the wing postition after his scorching performance on Sunday.

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rodas_pogpu, Pontypool says...
1:20pm Tue 9 Feb 10

I hope PT sits on our bench for the rest of the season, will be good practice for him! Harries and Brew are both in excellent form.

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rodas_pogpu, Pontypool says...
1:21pm Tue 9 Feb 10

That should be sits Fussel on our bench

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D-r-a-g-o-n-s fan, Newbridge says...
1:54pm Tue 9 Feb 10

Dragons management had plenty of opportunity to re-sign fuss, but they blew it (once again!) I think he will suprise a lot of people at the O's, and a lot of Dragons fans negative opinions. He's played hard for us and if the Dragons management didn't reward him then it was obvious somebody else would. Management is to blame - not the player!!

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ljg, Newport says...
4:32pm Tue 9 Feb 10

fussell left just for the money and no other reason, fussell will never win a welsh cap. I for one believe that Harries is a better player than fuss, and may-be fussell seen that in training, in my view fussell going is no great loss,

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TheEducator, says...
6:09pm Tue 9 Feb 10

ljg wrote:
fussell left just for the money and no other reason, fussell will never win a welsh cap. I for one believe that Harries is a better player than fuss, and may-be fussell seen that in training, in my view fussell going is no great loss,
You clearly know absolutely nothing about rugby or quality players.

The reason he left was the Dragons offered him a nothing contract trying to retain him on the cheap. The Ospreys came in with a half decent offer and wrapped up a deal in days while the Dragons had months to sign him.

There are a lot of bitter little people on this site who will probably be enjoying a slice of humble pie next season. Good luck to him I say & to the board - it's your own fault!

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SWBorderer, Spalding says...
6:26pm Tue 9 Feb 10

Don't blame Fussell, he has a living to earn, good luck to him.
Don't blame the Ospreys they want the biggest squad of quality players they can get.
Blame the WRU for not instigating central contracts from the start and for standing back and allowing the collapse of senior rugby in Wales.
The best way forward is to disband the Dragons, withdraw Newport from the Premiership and enter them into the English league, you will then see investors returning to the club.

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ljg, Newport says...
6:44pm Tue 9 Feb 10

TheEducator wrote:
ljg wrote: fussell left just for the money and no other reason, fussell will never win a welsh cap. I for one believe that Harries is a better player than fuss, and may-be fussell seen that in training, in my view fussell going is no great loss,
You clearly know absolutely nothing about rugby or quality players. The reason he left was the Dragons offered him a nothing contract trying to retain him on the cheap. The Ospreys came in with a half decent offer and wrapped up a deal in days while the Dragons had months to sign him. There are a lot of bitter little people on this site who will probably be enjoying a slice of humble pie next season. Good luck to him I say & to the board - it's your own fault!
I do think i know about rugby and quality players my friend,
In my opinion i dont think Richard is quick enough to play for Wales, and also i dont think sitting on a bench or playing for Swansea / Neath or Aberavon will help his in his quest to gain a cap(s), yes he his a GOOD player who gives 100% but he's not a great player,
as for being bitter, i beg to differ as i wish Richard well and i dont blame him for going for the extra money, (if we had the chance most of us would do the same),
we all have our opinions, you have yours and i have mine, in fact if Richard does gain a Welsh cap before the end of season 2011/2012 i will donate £50 to a charity of your choice,

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Dragons fan, Newport says...
6:56pm Tue 9 Feb 10

What a money grabin' T**t, money chasing just like Gough. As for supposed move to gain a Welsh cap good luck where did it get Gough no-where!! Thought hewas one of the decent "normal" players who played for the love of the game not money!! Hope he only gets to warm the bench..... Scum comes to mind!

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PortORico, The Old Green says...
8:06pm Tue 9 Feb 10

Good Luck to Fuss, but Will Harries arrival "on parade" plus this news, means that Fuss will now be seen as yesterdays man.Hope fuss stays committed to the rest of season, but Harries is the future, lets hope the management at The Dragons sign him up on contract extension

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Little Arch, cardiff says...
10:10pm Tue 9 Feb 10

Not surprised. He is certainly quick enough for Wales. don't forget that shane is a unique player and would walk into any team. To see Fussell go is hugely dissapointing. No mention of Wales by 'pundits' but in 18months he will have a few games under his belt i bet. Good for him and bad for us. Could well be used as a filler on occasional basis.

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Little Arch, cardiff says...
10:11pm Tue 9 Feb 10

And next season I BET more names will follow, leaving us as a developmental side as we all guessed.

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Monte_Fisto, Newport says...
11:06pm Tue 9 Feb 10

Look, I've given heart and soul to this Gwent region and a fair old amount of cash, but I've got to teh point where I just cannot see the WRU giving a **** about us, in typical short-sighted fashion they are downright refusing to sort out the mess they made of it all and it's hardly a new thing. They are standing by while our region gets decimated and do nothing. No matter how rabid a 'Newport' or 'Gwent' person you are (and I have been neither, but 100% a Dragon), you cannot avoid this fact. The WRU are shafting us all for the sake of their darlings to the south, Twatland's obsession with the Ospreys, and a team of Canadians in the north. Honestly, James Jones being trotted out to plonk us in the Amlin in our remaining derby games will be the last straw, I'm that disgusted with the WRU's continuing nonsense that I don't even care if Scotland stuff Wales on the weekend, and I never thought I'd ever say that.

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newportsfinest, newport says...
8:53am Wed 10 Feb 10

totally agree with you Monte.

This all points to us being a development side now. yeh we have signed players for the next two years but that only indicates that we will develop them and then have them shipped out to the other regions sorry the ospreys.

We all know there is an unwritten or secret agreement between the WRU and Hazel that we will be a development side, its just that they will never admit or make public this fact. im telling you Lydiate, Tovey, gustafson, lewis evans will all be playing elsewhere when their contracts are up next time, after they have developed a little further that is,

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East Newport Dave, newport says...
10:43am Thu 11 Feb 10

The Dragons board need to get off their backsides and make the new stadium and training facilities happen. If these are put in place then we will have a better chance of retaining quality players. The problem is that I don't believe that the board have enough about them (cash aside) to push through the changes.

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islwyn09, Abercarn says...
7:12pm Sat 13 Feb 10

I find all this moaning about Darcy Bussell going to the Ospreys quite amusing!All you Dragqueen supporters must have either ADS or are missing 1 eye!Whats the difference between RF going to Ospreys & your long and illustrious history of poaching all of the areas'best players for your grubby little club?You all thought thats strength in depth was a jolly good idea then,thus leaving the likes of Ebbw Vale,Cross Keys,Newbridge & the once mighty Pontypool bereft of talent! This all smacks of double standards on your part,after all wasnt it the WRU who rubber stamped the decision to base the Dragqueens @ Rottney Parade?They were pretty decent fellas then werent they?

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Monte_Fisto, Newport says...
7:27pm Sat 13 Feb 10

islwyn09 wrote:
I find all this moaning about Darcy Bussell going to the Ospreys quite amusing!All you Dragqueen supporters must have either ADS or are missing 1 eye!Whats the difference between RF going to Ospreys & your long and illustrious history of poaching all of the areas'best players for your grubby little club?You all thought thats strength in depth was a jolly good idea then,thus leaving the likes of Ebbw Vale,Cross Keys,Newbridge & the once mighty Pontypool bereft of talent! This all smacks of double standards on your part,after all wasnt it the WRU who rubber stamped the decision to base the Dragqueens @ Rottney Parade?They were pretty decent fellas then werent they?
You've been away for a while Islwyn - notably whilst the Dragons have been winning their matches and winning well - yet here you are back with a bang to prove for good and all what I originally suspected, that you are the biggest bell end in the cosmos.

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CROWD FAVOURITE: Richard Fussell played in the 23-22 victory over Saracens in Watford on Sunday evening CROWD FAVOURITE: Richard Fussell played in the 23-22 victory over Saracens in Watford on Sunday evening


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