Posted by Cardiff Blues have announced that Dai Young will come in as interim Director of Rugby from next week, returning to the club after almost a decade away.
The 53-year-old was in charge between 2002 and 2011, encompassing the final season of the pre-regional era and the first eight seasons of the regional era, leading us to Anglo-Welsh Cup and Challenge Cup glory in 2009 and 2010, respectively.
Following that he headed for London with Wasps where he spent close to nine years, leading the English side to a Premiership runner-up spot in 2017 and negotiating the move from the capital to Coventry where they are now based.
Young departed the Ricoh Arena in February last year and will now return to Cardiff Blues where he played 139 times in nine years across two spells, either side of stints with Leeds and Salford in Rugby League. He also won international honours in both codes, and toured with the British and Irish Lions in 1989.
Initially he will come in on a short-term deal, with a view to signing a long-term deal in the coming weeks should he be recommended by a selection panel headed up by non-executive director Nigel Walker. He will have a watching brief at this weekend’s fixture against Scarlets before preparing the side to travel to Stade Francais next week.
Speaking to the Cardiff Blues official website, Young said “I am really excited for the opportunity to return to Cardiff Blues. This is a club I obviously know very well and am passionate about. I have a huge affinity with the area and many fond memories at the Arms Park.
“There is already an exciting squad in place, with a lot of young talent coming through and staff that are already well known to me. I enjoyed nine great years here previously and return to Wales with a further nine years of experience in a different environment, culture and league structure with Wasps.
“Now is the right time to return to rugby and to do so with my home region is brilliant. I’m looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting started and helping to move the Blues forward.”
Cardiff Rugby Life 