Wales coach linked to a Wasps role
WE NEED TO STRENGTHEN BACKROOM TEAM TO KEEP PUSHING, SAYS YOUNG
DAI Young confirmed his ‘full attention’ is on improving the coaching set-up at Wasps amid rumours Shaun Edwards could be joining after the World Cup.
Wales defence coach Edwards left the Black and Golds after 10 years in 2011 but has been linked with a Wasps reunion. Edwards’ time within the Welsh international set-up comes to an end upon the conclusion of the 2019 World Cup, and he seemed set to become Wigan Warriors head coach ahead of the 2020 Super Rugby season.
However, in an interview with BBC Radio Four, Edwards suggested linking up with Wigan was an option, as opposed to a done deal. Edwards joined Wasps as backs coach in 2001 and took over as head coach from current Wales boss Warren Gatland in 2005. During Edwards’ time at the club, Wasps won the Premiership on four occasions, as well as lifting the Heineken Cup in 2004 and 2007.
Wasps have been a coach light this season after former Cardiff Blues boss Danny Wilson backed out of an agreement to become an assistant coach to instead become Scotland’s forwards coach.
Speaking ahead of today’s key Gallagher Premiership clash with Leicester Tigers at Welford Road, Wasps director of rugby Young said: ”I don’t want to talk about specific individuals because most of them will be under contract.
“I’ve made no secret over the last two years that my full attention is on improving the coaching setup.
“That’s nothing against the coaching group at the moment. I’m really pleased with what our three coaches have done and are doing but we need more coaches on board.
“It goes without saying that in an ideal world we would look to strengthen this coaching group. Not necessarily instead of this coaching group, but strengthen it.
“We’ve looked at that every year. We thought
we’d got one on board. In an ideal world we’d like to get two. We thought we’d brought in one but the got an international call-up which you can understand.
“But certainly if there are quality coaches available who we believe will fit into what we’re trying to do to support the coaches and improve the players, if they can help us do that then we’ll certainly look at them.”
One rumour suggested Edwards could take up a role as head coach at Wasps but Young doesn’t expect any alterations to his duties.
“There’d be no change in my role,” he said. “I don’t really know what a head coach does to be honest so I don’t think we’ll go down that path.
“We’ve got two very, very good young coaches in Lee Blackett and Andy Titterrell. They’ve done a great job and got better every year. There’s no reason why they can’t go on and have a top job. Ian Costello has a bit more experience from his five years at Munster.
“Those three work really well together, with me sitting on the top level, prodding and poking them in their aspects and responsibilities.
“We definitely need more experienced coaches to help out because there’s so many things now in the game. You look at other clubs with all their coaches. We said it last year and the year before. You can’t just employ anybody. They have to improve us. But that won’t change my role at all.”