Back injury forces Dragons hooker Roberts to retire
WALES and Dragons hooker Bradley Roberts has retired at the age of 29 because of a back injury. The South Africa-born player joined Dragons from Ulster in 2022 having previously played for the Sharks in Durban.
Roberts said: “My career has been short but very sweet and I look back at this chapter with massive pride and astonishment. I have no doubt it will leave me in good stead for whatever life has in store for. If my life so far is anything to go by, I'm sure it will be very exciting.”
Roberts played a season at RGC in the Welsh Premiership before joining Ulster and qualified for Wales through ancestry, winning the first of five caps against South Africa in 2021.
Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan said: “Bradley has always given his absolute all to the cause – something that has seen fans of every club he has represented take him to their hearts. It is that belief, drive, and talent that has seen him play successfully at the very highest level.”
Wales tighthead Leon Brown has signed a new Dragons contract while Moldova prop Dmitri Ar-hip has joined on a permanent deal having been on a short-term contract last season. Fellow props Chris Coleman, Rodrigo Martinez and Luke Yendle, and hooker James Benjamin, have also signed contract extensions.
Flanagan said: “It's great news Dmitri has agreed new terms. He is a rock-solid performer who adds a huge amount to our squad. We are pleased a number of our talented front rowers have also agreed deals. They understand there is a very real expectation on them to kick on and perform.”
