Chapron will work alongside the region’s head coach – currently Ceri Jones – to lead the Dragons’ high performance rugby environment.
He will be responsible for the delivery of rugby operations including performance planning, recruitment, contract negotiations, and budget management as well as staff welfare, development and performance review.
Head coach at Pontypool RFC from December 2009, Chapron became performance manager for the Dragons in 2012 before being promoted to academy manager in 2014. He also took on defence coach duties for Wales Under-18’s for four years from 2013.
This season Chapron has combined his role as academy manager – as Dragons Under-18s went undefeated in all fixtures to lift the regional age grade title – with heading up the coaching team for the Dragons A side in the inaugural Celtic Cup competition.
His promotion to general manager will see him continue to oversee the Dragons academy.
“James is the outstanding candidate for this role,” said Dragons executive chairman David Buttress.
“He has demonstrated his skill set in performance management and coaching, has an unrivalled knowledge of the talent in our first team and our pathway, plus has a proven ability to combine roles which gives him a unique perspective on our rugby department and will provide the Dragons with long-term stability.
“James will work closely with the head coach and the heads of medical, data analysis, strength and conditioning as well as the academy to produce an environment that breeds success.”
Chapron said: “I’m delighted to take up this new wider role at the Dragons which brings a fresh challenge for me. My knowledge of rugby in this region will be key as I take on responsibility for overseeing all the region’s rugby operations.
“I’m committed to delivering a high-performance environment for the players that translates into sustained on-field success. We’re here to win and I look forward to helping make that happen.”
