Murphy wanted by Blues if he quits Tigers

battered Wales under Steve Hansen in 2003, followed Scott Johnson from the Ospreys to Edinburgh almost five years ago as Scotland forwards’ coach under Vern Cotter.

The Blues have been searching for a head coach since the highly-rated Wilson told them in September he would not be extending his contract beyond this season.

His decision coincided with a financial crisis prompted by chairman Peter Thomas’ refusal to continue bankrolling the club, a move which led to Springbok lock Franco van der Merwe, the Blues’ major summer signing from Ulster, being offloaded to London Irish before the season began.

The club have decided to go for an ambitious younger coach on the way up rather than an older one on the way down.

Geordan Murphy, an Ireland Grand Slam winner in Cardiff eight years ago, is still in throes of deciding whether to end almost 20 years as player and coach at Leicester and take the challenging job on offer in the Welsh capital. Meanwhile, another weekend has passed without any white smoke from the Arms Park.

The Blues had hoped to make an appointment before the end of last month. “The important thing is that we take the time to make sure we get it right,’’ chief executive Richard Holland told The

Rugby Paper. “It’s a work in progress.’’

Wilson, whose club’s bid to reach the quarter-finals of the European Challenge Cup hinges on today’s critical home tie against Sale, will continue to give the job his undivided attention before joining Wasps next season as forwards coach. The move will reunite him with the Premiership club’s head coach, Dai Young.

“Dai was in charge at the Blues when I was academy coach there at the very start of my coaching career,’’ Wilson said. “I’m looking forward to learning more from him and working with the quality of players at Wasps.

“I’ve had some great times at the Blues and am very determined to do all I can for them between now and the end of the season.’’