Blues won’t stand in way if Strange gets Dragons approach
CARDIFF Blues boss John Mulvihill has revealed he wouldn’t stand in the way if the Dragons make an approach for Jason Strange to succeed Bernard Jackman.
Former Ireland hooker Jackman, as disclosed by WalesOnline, left his position as head coach at the Gwent region following thrashings against Leinster’s reserves and English strugglers Northampton Saints.
The race is on to replace him at the WRU-owned Dragons and the highly-rated Strange, who is from Gwent, would be an acceptable choice for many rugby followers in the area.
“He’s had experience as a head coach at Under-20 level with Wales and had some success there,” said Mulvihill.
Ex-Wales A outside-half Strange, who made his name as an astute play-maker with Ebbw Vale, Llanelli, Newport, Bristol and Leeds, guided the Wales youngsters to a Six Nations Grand Slam two years ago.
“It wouldn’t be a great thing for us but it’s an opportunity as well, so I wouldn’t be standing in the way of an opportunity, if that came,” said Mulvihill.
The Australian stressed backs coach Strange has a contract with the Blues and hasn’t discussed with him if he has spoken to the Dragons.
Mulvihill believes the successful candidate has, on paper, a strong squad to work with at the Dragons.
“They have got some quality there – they will be fine,” he declared.
“They’re a decent team and they’re going to cause a few headaches going forward in the PRO14.
“They had a nice win against Edinburgh a few weeks ago and I’m sure they’re looking at targeting a few games. They will probably try targeting us next week!
“Sometimes, when a manager moves on, there’s a bounce so you would hope, if you were with the Dragons this week, you would see a really good performance.
“Sometimes it galvanises the players and they tend to play a little bit more for each other.
“They will be a very determined outfit this week. Good luck to them and the next coach that comes in.”
Strange is among a list of contenders who have been linked with the vacant position with the Dragons set to appoint a caretaker coach until the end of the season.
Andy Robinson, the former England, Scotland, Bath, Edinburgh and Bristol coach, would fit that bill as he lives just over the border, is available and has vast experience.
Former Northampton boss Jim Mallinder, who pulled out of a move to the Blues earlier this year, has also been linked with it but has taken up an important coaching role at the Rugby Football Union.
Many Dragons supporters would like to see the return of the region’s most successful coach, former Wales boss Mike Ruddock, while another Gwent man who has backing is Scarlets defence organiser Byron Hayward.
Mulvihill billed Blues’ European clash with Saracens at the Arms Park on Saturday as do or die.
“It’s a massive game as far as the Heineken Champions Cup is concerned but also going forward because we have got three big derbies coming up,” he said.
“We don’t want to limp into them, we want to bounce in and have some confidence going forward.”
The Blues will be without scrum-halves Tomos and Lloyd Williams, outside-half or centre Jarrod Evans (shoulder), centre Harri Millard (ankle), wing Jason Harries (foot) for the Pool Three return with star-studded Saracens after losing 51-25 in north London last Sunday.
But back-rowers Josh Navidi and Nick Williams, hooker Kristian Dacey, centres Rey LeeLo and Willis Halaholo are all oncourse to play a part in the mustwin encounter.
Third-choice scrum-half Lewis Jones is likely to start, with Wales Sevens player Dane Blacker having been registered with tournament organisers for the match and expected to be a substitute.