Dragons put off by injury – Larkham

Oct 14 2007 by Peter Shuttleworth, Wales On Sunday

STEPHEN LARKHAM claims Newport Gwent Dragons slammed the door in his face following his knee injury.

Wallaby star Larkham admits he was stunned when talks over a possible move to Rodney Parade stalled over fitness concerns.

The Dragons claimed the World Cup winner had accepted a better offer in Japan. But 33-year-old Larkham revealed the Welsh region pulled the plug on a deal last month after he was sidelined during the World Cup – despite his imminent return.

He said: “We were in talks last week but then I was told by my agent that they (the Dragons) were not interested any more.

“One minute we were talking, then the next minute the offer was gone. Undoubtedly it was because of my injury.”

Now Larkham reckons that has left him in limbo after an earlier move to Edinburgh also fell through. He said: “I’ve had the minor operation and I’ll be back in no time. I would have played in the latter stages of the World Cup had we made it – but now I’m not sure where I’ll go.”

Dragons coach Paul Turner, who was told Larkham had taken an offer in the Far East, is now looking for a Super14 player to spearhead the Dragons’ attempts to re-establish their place in the Magners league and Europe.