Wales hooker Elliot Dee is understood to be attracting interest from a handful of Top 14 clubs. The 32-year-old Dragons front-row is in a rich vein of form, having scored five tries at the start of the season to lead the United Rugby Championship's try-scoring charts.
Despite that strong start, Dee was overlooked by Steve Tandy for the autumn internationals. Wales captain Dewi Lake, Ryan Elias and Liam Belcher were the three hookers named in the squad.
Recent Wales absence
Dee last featured for Wales in the 2025 Six Nations, starting the final three matches of that tournament. He then toured with Wales the same summer but did not play on their tour of Japan.
Since then, Dee has not featured in a Wales squad under Tandy, although he was called to South Africa in the summer as injury cover after featuring for the Barbarians.
Form and future
The 56-cap hooker has enjoyed an upturn in form recently, with a strong end to last year's campaign seeing him play his part in the Dragons' run to the Challenge Cup semi-final.
Part of that turnaround is down to, as Dee credits, simply enjoying his rugby again. Given that, as well as his work as an insurance advisor, Dee may well not want to move away from Rodney Parade.
However, even if Wales currently aren't looking at him, a couple of Top 14 sides are showing interest, with one believed to be ready to make an offer.
Enjoying the game
“At the end of the day, this is a game of rugby played by 30 blokes on the field,” said Dee recently, speaking about how he is enjoying the game again.
“It’s really important, but it’s not the most important thing in life.
“I am just trying to turn up and do my job as best I can and not think too much about things and try to perform for the team.
“I’m enjoying turning up for work. I’m proud to be from Gwent and to play for the Dragons.
“We talk a lot about doing it for the people in the stands and for our families in the stands.”
