THE Dragons have confirmed that coach Shaun Connor has left the region along with 19 players.

Former fly-half Connor has been a hugely popular figure at Rodney Parade since returning in 2014.

The 42-year-old, who made 29 appearances for the region between 2008 and 2010, initially returned as academy skills coach and then worked with the senior team alongside Lyn Jones and Kingsley Jones as backs coach.

However, his contract runs out this summer and head coach Bernard Jackman will make a change to his management team.

The Irishman has also been busy in the recruitment market, with his signings meaning that a raft of his 2017/18 squad are heading for pastures new.

Scrum-half Charlie Davies leaves after three years with the club along with fellow number 9 Sarel Pretorius, who is returning to South Africa with the Kings. The combative Davies made 54 appearances while livewire Pretorius played 72 times.

Fly-half Angus O'Brien, who has spent the majority of the season with Wales 7s and represented his country at the Commonwealth Games, leaves after four campaigns and 70 games.

Centre Sam Beard, the Welsh-qualified, New Zealander who had an excellent first campaign after signing from Edinburgh in 2016, is released. The 27-year-old's hopes of earning a fresh deal were hindered by a torn pectoral muscle in the second week of this season.

Centre/wing Adam Hughes' retirement through injury was announced last month along with Pat Howard's move to big-spending English Championship side Ealing Trailfinders.

Full-back/fly-half Carl Meyer, who earned a full-time contract in 2015 after moving to Ebbw Vale from South Africa, is being released along with 21-year-old centre Barney Nightingale, who made five appearances as a teenager in 2014/15.

Wales 7s wing Lloyd Lewis, who never made a senior regional appearance, has also been released.

Stalwart Phil Price left earlier this season to join Scarlets on loan with a view to earning a permanent deal in Llanelli. The prop, who played 159 times for the Dragons, achieved that ambition and is now helping the west Walians in the defence of their title.

Four other looseheads join him in leaving Rodney Parade – Sam Hobbs and Thomas Davies, who both arrived from Cardiff Blues in the summer of 2016, Neath-bound Luke Garrett and Keagan Bale.

Rhys Buckley's second spell with the Dragons is over, the Caldicot front rower returned from Moseley and Doncaster in 2014 and racked up 72 appearances only to be troubled by a neck problem this season.

His fellow hooker Liam Belcher, who joined from the Blues last summer, is also leaving along with locks Scott Andrews and Ashley Sweet plus number eight Robson Blake, who was given a chance as a pro on a one-year deal after impressing with Bedwas in the Premiership.

Jackman said: "On behalf of everyone at the Dragons I would like to thank those that are moving on for their commitment and professionalism during their time at this region.

"We wish them all the best for their next steps in their careers."

Conditioning coach Simon Church and long-serving Kate Williams and her fellow physio Gavin Daglish are also leaving.

Dragons leavers

Phil Price – loosehead

Sam Hobbs – loosehead

Thomas Davies – loosehead

Luke Garrett – loosehead

Keagan Bale – loosehead

Liam Belcher – hooker

Rhys Buckley – hooker

Scott Andrews – lock

Ashley Sweet – lock

Robson Blake – back row

Sarel Pretorius – scrum-half

Charlie Davies – scrum-half

Angus O'Brien – fly-half

Adam Hughes – centre/wing

Pat Howard – centre/wing

Carl Meyer – full-back/fly-half

Barney Nightingale – centre

Sam Beard – centre

Lloyd Lewis – wing