Former Blues chief Wilson to take the reins with Warriors

FORMER Cardiff Blues coach Danny Wilson will take charge of Glasgow Warriors at the end of the season when current boss Dave Rennie departs for Australia, the Guinness PRO14 side have announced.

It was confirmed on Tuesday that Rennie would be leaving when he contract ends in the summer to take over the Wallabies.

Now the Scottish Rugby Union has moved swiftly to confirm Wilson – currently responsible for coaching the national team’s forwards – will be his successor.

The 43-year-old joined the Scotland coaching group in August 2018 after a three-year spell as head coach at Cardiff Blues, steering the club to European Challenge Cup glory in Bilbao and securing a return to the Heineken Champions Cup.

Prior to his role with the Blues, Wilson had coached at Scarlets and Dragons, with over eight years’ experience in the PRO14, as well as bossing Wales’ under-20s side.

Scottish Rugby chief executive Mark Dodson said: “We’re very pleased Danny has accepted this important role at Glasgow Warriors as it retains an excellent coach within the Scottish professional game.

“Danny has worked hard to develop Scotland’s set-piece into a real area of strength and his technical expertise, aligned with his working knowledge of many of the Warriors’ players, will be key to maintain the club’s progression in the coming years.

“He has a depth of experience from previous roles with PRO14 teams and we feel this, alongside his recent international coaching, makes him the right person for the club at this time.”

Wilson, who was born in Weston-super-Mare, said: “The opportunity to coach such an attractive club as Glasgow Warriors was too good to miss.

“I’ve been extremely impressed with the Scottish system in recent years and I’m looking forward to working with an exciting and talented squad of players at Warriors.

“I want to build on the hightempo style of play that I know the fans love and pay to see week in, week out.

“The club has been challenging at the top end of the Guinness PRO14 on a regular basis and as a coach it is that type of environment and culture you want to be involved in.”

The SRU have confirmed Wilson will continue to work with Scotland until after the 2020 Guinness Six Nations.