ROBERT Beale has left his role as team manager at Newport Gwent Dragons, writes Chris Kirwan.

Beale, who had spent five and a half years in the region’s management team, was out of contract at the end of the season and was not going to be offered a fresh deal.

Given that his role involves negotiations and confidential details it was mutually agreed to bring his time at Rodney Parade to an early end.

Director of rugby Lyn Jones and chief executive Gareth Davies have been conducting contract talks with prospective new players and Sara Davies, who was team manager before a summer reshuffle, has resumed control of team admin. It is unlikely that there will be a like-for-like replacement.

Former boss Paul Turner brought Beale to Rodney Parade as successor to Jim McCreedy in September 2008.

He became director of rugby when Darren Edwards became head coach in April 2011 but returned to his original title when Jones took over in the hotseat last summer.

A former lock with Risca and Newbridge, Beale had spells coaching the Welfare Ground outfit and Cross Keys and was team manager of Wales Under-20s.

- The Dragons have appointed Pontypool RFC corporate director Ben Jeffreys as a commercial and marketing consultant.

- Ystrad Mynach Centre for Sporting Excellence is set to be completed by May.

The Dragons have agreed to rent the Caerphilly Council-owned facility, which is on the site of the former Ystrad Mynach Hospital, as their training base.

It will be used for both rugby and football and will boast two 3G pitches, a gym, office space and stands.