Cardiff Blues are thrilled to announce the appointment of Dai Young as the club’s interim director of rugby.
Young returns to the Arms Park a decade after guiding Cardiff Blues through its most successful period in the regional era, following John Mulvihill’s departure this week.
The 53-year-old will take on a watching brief ahead of Saturday’s Guinness PRO14 derby against the Scarlets before officially starting the role on Monday.
The appointment has been made on an interim basis initially with the view to agree a long-term deal in the weeks ahead.
Cardiff Blues chief executive Richard Holland said: “We were acutely aware of the need to bring on board an experienced director of rugby and Dai ticks all the boxes.
“He has an enormous history at the Arms Park, is passionate about the team and has added further vast experience while at Wasps for nine years.
“We are delighted to welcome him back to Cardiff Blues and are excited about the impact he can make within our set-up.
“While this is initially only a short-term deal, I know Dai’s desire is to come to a long-term agreement and he will be part of our process.
“There has already been widespread interest in the position and Nigel Walker will now lead a selection panel, which will convene to agree the best outcome for Cardiff Blues.”
Young, who starred for Cardiff, Wales and the British & Irish Lions, previously enjoyed a nine year spell as director of rugby with Cardiff Blues, in which he recorded a win-rate of more than 60 per cent in five seasons.
He won the EDF Energy Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup, and was a penalty shootout away from a Heineken Cup final, before joining Wasps in 2011.
The former dual-code international also spent nine years at the now Coventry-based club and took them from adversity to three consecutive Premiership play-offs, including the 2017 final.
Following that campaign, in which Wasps topped the table, he was named the Premiership Director of Rugby of the Season. He has also guided the English club to the last eight of the Champions Cup on three occasions.
Young left Wasps last year and is now excited to return to his home region.
He 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.”