He may not play in State of Origin anymore, but Dragons centre Matt Cooper is still one of the game’s elite centres, despite persistent injury so far this year – but he has denied that he has any plans to retire, like reports suggest.

With a host of rumours out and about that Cooper is set to retire immediately, the man himself vehemently denied such rumours, and says he has no second-thoughts about signing on for a second year.

“Not at all, I was enjoying my football last year, so that’s why I signed for two years,” he said.

“This year obviously hasn’t been as good, but I’m still keen to make it work. To be honest, I haven’t even heard those rumours – that’s the first I’ve heard of it.

“I signed a two-year deal last year and I’m really keen to see that out.”

Cooper, who has only played in 8 of the Dragons 13 games so far this season due to injury, is only just finding his form once more – and says that now is the perfect opportunity for he and the Dragons team, to go on a bit of a run.

“I’m feeling fresh coming back to training and it’s good to be back,” he said.

“The break helps us all, it’s good to freshen up the legs and also the mind.”