Dragons’ Woodman: Physicality Key for URC Challenges | Stormers, Lions & Stade Francais Fixtures

March 22, 2026 Alex Carter - Sports Editor Sport

Dragons RFC flanker Ryan Woodman has been called up to the Wales squad ahead of their upcoming summer fixtures, seeking to build on a breakthrough season with the Welsh region.

The 22-year-ancient, who can too play at lock, has become a key figure for the Dragons, making 18 appearances in the 2024-25 season and featuring in 13 of 16 games so far in the current campaign. Woodman debuted for the Dragons in December 2022, gradually establishing himself as a prominent player.

Wales head coach Steve Tandy previously invited Woodman to train with the national squad before the Six Nations Championship, and subsequently called him up for the final two rounds due to an injury to Taine Plumtree. Woodman attended the 31-17 victory over Italy at the Principality Stadium, gaining a first-hand experience of the international environment.

“It was a really good experience and loads of fun,” Woodman said, according to the BBC. “I learnt a lot and have seen where I need to be to get to that level in the future. I’ve been given function-ons but the main message is to keep doing what I have been doing and hopefully I can progress to get there.”

Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia has identified Woodman as a potential future captain, and has been working with the player to address areas for improvement highlighted by the Wales management. Woodman has focused on increasing his physicality, aiming to become a more imposing presence on the field.

“My main goal for the season was to be more of a physical presence, I want to be a big six,” Woodman stated. “I definitely still have improvements to make but I am going in the right direction.”

Woodman’s progress will be tested in the coming weeks as the Dragons face a challenging schedule, beginning with a United Rugby Championship match against the DHL Stormers in Cape Town on Sunday. Further matches against the Lions in Johannesburg and Stade Francais in Paris will follow.

“It’s always tough playing South African sides, especially away,” Woodman acknowledged. “Stormers have quite a few Springboks in their team and it will be a good physicality test.” The Dragons have yet to defeat a South African team in the URC, with their last victory over a South African opponent coming in 2020 against the Cheetahs in the Pro14.

Born in Newport and raised in Caldicot, Woodman began playing rugby for Caldicot RFC. He captained Wales U20s in 2023 and was named Dragons’ Young Player of the Season at the end of the 2024-25 season.