JASON RYLES rejects even the most remote suggestion that he - or Trent Barrett - were driven out of the Dragons by venomous criticism from the most passionate army of fans in the NRL.

"I'm not running away for that reason, no way in the world," Ryles said before his 150th first-grade match, against the Raiders at WIN Stadium today. "And Trent was a bigger person than that. He was bigger than letting any of that kind of stuff get to him. He wouldn't have run away like that, either.

"Mate, I've got critics everywhere. You get used to it after a while. It's all right. I've been getting it for years. It's just the price you pay for playing for such a proud and passionate club.

"We weren't getting beaten by much at the start of the year when we were really copping it. People come at me from every angle when they want to bag me. I just go and play footy as well as I can and see how that goes."

Jason Ryles, eh? Few players polarise opinion so much. He's off to French club Catalans next year and as judgment day approaches for Dragons captain Mark Gasnier, Ryles says the stigma has been erased from NRL players fleeing to Europe.

"The clubs over there are steering away from signing guys who are past it," he said. "It's not a retirement farm any more. Clubs over there want to sign guys in their prime who can contribute to the team and the club.

"I can't wait to get over there and contribute as much as I can. I always wanted to play in the English Super League. You get to live in a nice place, play in a strong competition - that's the attraction. No one thinks it's the wrong thing to do any more.

"I experienced some English footy with Kangaroo tours a couple of years ago, so I know what to expect.

"It's a whole new experience. The atmosphere is great, the crowds. There are no second thoughts about going. The hardest part of the decision was actually making it."

Gasnier will announce his future this week, most likely playing rugby union for French club Stade Francais. He could be sharing a farewell with Ryles, but don't expect the latter to bawl like a baby after his last match with the only club he has ever represented.

"I don't get another opportunity after this year - it's all or nothing for me," he said. "I'm not the most emotional bloke in the world."