Welsh Rugby
Turner leaves Dragons
ESPNscrum Staff
February 11, 2011
Dragons head coach Paul Turner, Gloucester v Newport Gwent Dragons, Anglo-Welsh Cup, Kingsholm, Gloucester, England, October 25, 2008
Turner was suspended last month pending a hearing into disciplinary matters © Getty Images
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Newport Gwent Dragons coach Paul Turner has left the struggling Welsh region by "mutual consent".

The former Wales fly-half, who has been at the Dragons for the past six years, was put on "gardening leave" last month with a poor run of results and an altercation with a journalist reportedly among a number of factors leading to the suspension. His assistant Darren Edwards was put in temporary charge of the team pending an investigation and will continue in the role until the end of the season following Turner's departure.

"Newport Gwent Dragons wish to announce that Paul Turner's employment with the region as Head Coach has ceased today by mutual agreement," read a statement from the Dragons. "The Region would like to express its thanks to Paul for the work he has done in past years and to wish him all the very best in the future.

Turner added, "I've enjoyed my six years at the Dragons and am immensely proud to have been involved with developing this Region. I wish all the players and staff my best wishes for the remainder of the season"

Turner took charge of the Dragons in 2005 and signed a two-year contract extension in 2009 which should have kept him at Rodney Parade until 2012. But a disappointing campaign that has seen the Dragons record just seven wins in the Magners League and suffer a whitewash in the Heineken Cup increased the pressure on the 51-year-old.

The coach hit the headlines earlier this month after claiming Dragons star Dan Lydiate had been injured during Wales fitness testing although it later emerged that the player had not even taken part in physical activity. More recently he had Western Mail journalist Andy Howell removed from a post-match press conference after he suggested the coach's future was in doubt.

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