Young rules himself out of the race to be Wales coach

FORMER Lions prop Dai Young has ruled himself out of the race to become Wales’ next coach and is set to commit his future to Wasps.

The ex-Blues boss was among a number of high profile coaches in the frame to succeed Warren Gatland after the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

The WRU have drawn up a three man shortlist for the job and are set to announce the new man at the helm next summer.

But Young, Wasps’ director of rugby, has ruled himself out and is set to sign a long-term contract extension with the Aviva Premiership giants in the next fortnight.

Young, who won 51 Wales caps and went on three Lions tours, was seen as the highest profile Welsh candidate for the top job after turning around Wasps fortunes, making them one of the most feared clubs in English rugby.

Many rugby fans craved seeing Young and Scarlets attack coach team Stephen Jones team up again as they did a few seasons back at Wasps.

But Young, who has spent six years with Wasps, told the Daily Mail: “I don’t think it is a job that is finished. It is no secret that I am enjoying my time at Wasps and no secret that we are in discussions.

“Hopefully that can be sorted in the next week or so. I still think there is lots to do here and we can keep the club moving forward.

“We will announce it once the deal is done.”

Glasgow Warriors boss and former Waikato Chiefs coach Dave Rennie is thought to be on the shortlist as is Chris Boyd – currently in charge of the Hurricanes, based in Wellington and the Junior All Blacks.

Scarlets coach Wayne Pivac, who helped guide the region to the Guinness PRO rugby title last season, is another strong name linked with the shortlist.

Steff Evans has been banned for four weeks following his sending off during Scarlets’ Guinness PRO14 12-9 west Wales derby victory over the Ospreys in Llanelli on Boxing Day.

The length of the suspension, for a challenge on the airborne Ben John, was cut from eight weeks following mitigation from Evans and his legal team.

It means the winger, who made his Test debut against Tonga last June and appeared in autumn internationals against Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, will be free to play on January 21 and be available for the Six Nations.