Here are your rugby morning headlines for Friday, May 2. The Dragons have hired Dale MacLeod to assist head coach Filo Tiatia next season as they look to turn their ailing fortunes around. The Men of Gwent have not tasted victory in the United Rugby Championship since the opening day of the season and are already guaranteed to finish bottom of the table after a miserable campaign. Tiatia has been busy on the recruitment front ahead of his first full campaign in charge, having replaced former head coach Dai Flanagan after just six games this season. And, to go alongside the host of signings the Dragons have made for next season, they have now brought in a vastly experienced coach to work alongside Tiatia. MacLeod joins the club as their new defence coach, but will effectively act as the former Ospreys back-row's second in command. Previous to joining the Dragons, the New Zealander worked as head coach of National Provincial Championship side Northland - having also coached Southland in the same competition in the past. MacLeod has also worked with Tiatia at Super Rugby side Moana Pasifika, while he has coached with the Tonga national team - being involved with their 2023 World Cup campaign in France. Speaking about the move, MacLeod said: “As a Kiwi growing up, I always had a special attachment to Welsh rugby and how they went about things. "Their rich history and the passionate people are things I love. To be part of a team that moves the Dragons forward and contributes to the growth of the club and Welsh rugby really excites me. “The URC is a world recognised competition that is growing stronger every year. As a coach you always want to keep growing and experiencing different challenges regarding how the game is played. "Having talked with other players and coaches who I have worked with before in the URC, I can’t wait to get into my work. I look forward to working alongside Filo again. We both understand each other very well. I love his passion, how he cares for those around him and his work ethic. “I knew after meeting with the CEO, Operations Manager, and owners that the club is driven to succeed. Their vision and their mission to achieve are aligned and clear. To be part of the club’s plan and contribute to the success over the coming years will be special. “I don’t underestimate the challenge and I’m looking forward to arriving.” Tiatia himself added: “I’ve worked with Dale previously, most recently at Moana Pasifika, and I’m excited by the impact he will have on the Dragons. “He’s a very knowledgeable coach, someone who has coached from grassroots right up to international level, and he has a huge appetite for the game. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and will be good for the club, someone who will also be a good challenge for me, and is exactly what the group here needs.” 25% OFF DEAL NOW: Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby Lawrence Dallaglio believes there will be a "resentment" towards new WRU director of rugby Dave Reddin due to the fact he is English. Dallaglio knows Reddin from their time together with England under Sir Clive Woodward and revealed that he text the new Wales DoR to congratulate him upon learning he had got the job. And while Reddin comes with a lengthy CV, he does have a broad remit, having to overhaul two failing teams in both the men's and the women's sides. But as former Wales international Scott Quinnell said, as long as he sorts out the Welsh rugby crisis, nationality won't even enter the equation. "I did message him, saying congratulations, about a month ago when the news first broke, and I didn't get a message back from him!" Dallaglio said on the most recent episode of Stick To Rugby. "Last week, he said, 'I'm so sorry not to message you, but I couldn't.' "He worked with Clive (Woodward), with the Olympics, he went off and worked in football. There will be a little bit of resentment, because he's English, but if he does the job..." Quinnell then jumped in and said: "Hey, if he turns us around, then we don't care! Get in there, get the pathways (going). That's the one." Freddie Steward grew up idolising Wales legend Leigh Halfpenny, the England full-back has revealed. The Leicester Tiger was appearing on the latest episode of Stick To Rugby and in a round of quickfire questions was asked to name the player he enjoyed watching as a kid. Host Katy Daley McLean asked: "The player you loved watching growing up?" Steward replied: "Leigh Halfpenny. Loved him! Brave as hell. "Leigh Halfpenny, growing up, I just loved him. He was so brave, an unbelievable kicker, (under) the high ball, the lot." Halfpenny, still playing his rugby in the Gallagher Premiership with Harlequins, won 101 caps for Wales and four for the Lions, indeed he was named player of the series in that 2013 tour Down Under. Steward himself will be hoping of emulating Halfpenny by heading to Australia on the Lions tour this summer, with coach Andy Farrell set to name his squad next week.