Dragons have asked Welsh rugby bodies to look into the move of Wales lock Cory Hill to Cardiff Blues after confirming he will leave the region.
Hill returns to his home region Cardiff Blues for the 2020-21 campaign after seven seasons with Dragons.
A Dragons statement said they have asked “the relevant bodies to look into the circumstances around the move”.
“We’re disappointed to see Cory depart,” said Dragons director of rugby Dean Ryan.
“Everyone at Dragons Rugby wishes Cory well for the future.”
The Professional Rugby Board (PRB) has been formed to run the top flight game in Wales and is an organisation made up of the Welsh Rugby Union and four Welsh regions.
A wage band system has been set up by the PRB for professional players in Wales with the organisation leading the negotiations.
The wages of the top 38 elite players in Wales are funded 80% by the WRU and 20% by the individual region.
Under the scheme, after a valuation is agreed on a player’s wage by an independent panel, no Welsh region can outbid another for a player.
The WRU own the Dragons after initially taking over the running of the region in July 2017.
There are talks ongoing about the region returning to private ownership which has been instigated by Dragons chairman David Buttress.
Hill has decided his future lies at the Arms Park with his contract at Rodney Parade finishing at the end of the 2019-20 season and confirmed the switch on social media.
“Some personal news from me,” said Hill.
“After seven enjoyable years at the Dragons I have decided on a new challenge and opportunity. I’m hugely excited for what lies ahead next season.
“I would like to say thank you to all the faithful for their support over the last seven years. I’m very proud of my time with the Dragons and it was an honour to captain the region.
“With the current season’s future undecided I do not know whether I will be wearing a Dragons shirt again or not, but my time at Rodney Parade has been special to me – so thank you to everyone who’s been part of my journey.”
“More to announce soon but for now, remember to stay safe everyone.”
Hill came through with Pontypridd and the Blues academy system and played for English club Moseley before moving to Dragons in 2013 where he played 110 games for the region and captained the side 30 times.
The 28-year-old made his Wales debut against Australia in 2016 and can play second-row or flanker.
Initially selected for the 2017 Wales summer tour of Tonga and Samoa, in June of that year Hill was called up for the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand as an injury replacement.
Hill was co-captain of Wales’ summer 2018 tour matches against Argentina and South Africa alongside Ellis Jenkins and scored a memorable try in the 2019 Six Nations win over England.
He travelled to Japan as part of the 2019 World Cup squad, but injury ruled him out during the tournament.
Hill was back for the 2020 Six Nations, helping Wales beat Italy in coach Wayne Pivac’ first tournament game in charge.
He missed the next three matches through injury before being recalled for Wales’ final Six Nations match against Scotland on 14 March before the game was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Article courtesy of BBC Sport
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