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Filo Tiatia has flown home to New Zealand for personal reasons(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)<\/p>\nDale MacLeod will lead the Dragons in Filo Tiatia’s absence against the Ospreys this weekendFilo Tiatia has flown home to New Zealand for personal reasons(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)<\/p>\n
Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia has flown home to New Zealand for personal reasons, with defence coach Dale MacLeod taking charge of this weekend’s derby against the Ospreys<\/a> at Rodney Parade.<\/p>\n MacLeod joined the Dragons this summer, having previously been the head coach of Northland Rugby Taniwha in New Zealand. MacLeod had also worked with Tiatia before with Moana Pasifika ahead of moving to Newport<\/a>.<\/p>\n Now, with Tiatia back in New Zealand, MacLeod will lead the Men of Gwent as they go in search of their first victory of the season against the Ospreys on Saturday.<\/p>\n “We were well planned before he left – we are all good to go,\u201d said MacLeod about Tiatia’s absence.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat Filo has done this year is make it that if any one of us is away then someone is ready to step in. We are ready to go.\u201d<\/p>\n Tiatia missed a Welsh derby against Cardiff<\/a> last year for family reasons, with Matt O’Brien having taken charge of the Rodney Parade club on that occasion.<\/p>\n The Dragons will be hoping they can find a victory, having not won in the league since the last time the Ospreys visited Rodney Parade last September.<\/p>\n 18 consecutive defeats followed that win over the Ospreys at the start of last season, with only a draw against the Sharks in their second match of the current campaign ending that losing run.<\/p>\n The Dragons should have overcome the South African side to record their first win of the season, with the club now desperate to bounce back from a derby defeat against Cardiff last week with a victory this weekend.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been a good week of preparation – a full week makes a difference,\u201d added MacLeod.<\/p>\n \u201cThe boys can\u2019t wait. We want to get out and put a good performance in and the sooner that Saturday comes the better.<\/p>\n \u201cWe haven\u2019t spoken about last season (against Ospreys). We have talked about putting on a performance that we can be proud of.”<\/p>\n Follow all of our channels to ensure you stay up to date with the latest Welsh rugby news. Sign up to our free daily newsletter here<\/a> and our WhatsApp channel here<\/a> for all the breaking news.<\/p>\n You can also follow us on social media on our X account<\/a>, Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a> and TikTok.<\/a><\/p>\n For more exclusive stories and in-depth analysis, you can sign up for the Inside Welsh Rugby substack newsletter here.<\/a><\/p>\n