Gruff set for job swap with the Blues

OSPREYS backs coach Gruff Rees looks set to take up the same role with Cardiff Blues as Wales’ capital region begin to plan for next season.

The Rugby Paper understands Rees applied to succeed Danny Wilson as head coach at the Blues and the Welsh Rugby Union were keen for him to take on the role.

That application was rejected by the Blues, but Rees remains in contention to head up their attack for the start of the 2018-19 campaign.

Incumbent Blues backs coach Matt Sherratt has been linked with the Ospreys and is in line to swap places with Rees as Welsh domestic rugby prepares itself for a managerial reshuffle.

“Gruff is out of contract at the end of the season and

it is about deciding where we go from there,” said Ospreys head coach Steve Tandy. “It would be wrong for me to talk about coaches from other environments when they are under contract. Gruff has been sensational, a massive support for me, and we have an amazing relationship.”

Wilson is leaving the Blues at the end of this season after becoming frustrated with a lack of financial backing from the Cardiff Arms Park board.

It is understood the Blues have received more than 20 applications to succeed the former Wales U20 head coach and chief executive Richard Holland remains confident he can secure a big-name candidate to oversee yet another revolution in Cardiff.

Former Bath boss Mike Ford, ex-England supremo Andy Robinson and Glasgow forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys have all thrown their hat into the ring to take charge of the underachieving Welsh region.

Naka Drotské, below, who won the 1995 World Cup with South Africa and coached new PRO14 outfit Cheetahs between 2007 and 2015, is one of four men with previous Super Rugby experience to have also been in touch with the Blues hierarchy.

And this week former Wales coach Mike Ruddock also expressed his interest in the position.

The Blues are keen not to rush as they search for the right man.

Holland, WRU head of rugby performance Geraint John and former Wales coach Kevin Bowring will head the interview process once a shortlist has been been compiled.

Whatever happens, the new Blues coach looks likely to work alongside Rees next term.

Tandy added: “What happens in the future has to be what’s best for the Ospreys, Gruff and myself. Everyone in the environment has to come to the same conclusion.”