Danny Wilson during his Cardiff Blues tenure chats with Edinburgh coach Richard Cockerill

DANNY Wilson had already committed to someone else when Murrayfield came calling.

After turning down a contract extension offer to carry on as head coach of Cardiff Blues beyond the end of last season, he had agreed to take charge of the forwards at English Premiership side Wasps. But there were covetous eyes watching from the north and when Dan McFarland revealed in April he would be leaving the Scotland set-up at the earliest opportunity to take on the lead role with Ulster, Gregor Townsend made his move.

“I got to know Gregor by preparing and playing against him over the years, and at the coaching conferences in the summer when you get a bit of down-time,” explained Wilson, who jumped at the opportunity to work with a kindred spirit, and officially became the national team’s new forwards coach in August.

“I think his view on the game is something I have always agreed with, whether it’s attack, defence or set-piece. Tying into that style and that philosophy is something I am quite passionate about and that he is very passionate about.”

Such synergy is lovely for Wilson, Townsend and Scotland – but not so great for jilted Wasps.

“It was all very late, which obviously wasn’t great timing from a Wasps point of view, there’s no doubt about that,” agreed Wilson.“But the opportunity was one that very seldom comes around and when it does you’ve got to be ready to take it.

“If Wasps hadn’t agreed, I would have worked very hard for them. I had fully committed to them and was looking forward to it. I was in a position where I had two fantastic opportunities in front of me; [but] to go to a World Cup and be involved in the Six Nations, most people would agree is the pinnacle for any coach. You work hard to get that opportu- nity, and when you get it you don’t know if it will come around again.

“Scotland and Wasps spoke in detail and amicably agreed I could go and take the opportunity. I was very lucky that Dai [Young – Wasps’ director of rugby] was extremely understanding.”

A deal was done and, after a flying visit to view potential new homes north of the Border, Wilson, along with wife Rachel (a former Wales rugby internationalist) and their two daughters, moved lock stock and barrel to Gullane in East Lothian.

However, there was still three months to go before his new team would be back in action.

A fact-finding trip to Australia and New Zealand, a visit to rugby league giants Wigan, and ongoing interaction with Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors means it has not been dead time.

However, there was no doubt the new coach is itching to get back into the routine of working with players on a daily basis during the November Test series, kicking off against Wales on Saturday.

“From the outside looking in, the journey Scotland have taken has been phenomenal … the improvement on the field, the style of rugby they want to play,” he said. “Hopefully I can add to that, getting in there to assess the environment and seeing what is next – putting my own print on things and dovetailing with what excellent work has already been done.”

Wilson was born and raised in Weston-super-Mare but moved to Wales in 1998 to study for a sports coaching degree. Apart from a couple of brief spells working with London Welsh and Bristol, he has spent the past 20 years in the Principality – so next weekend’s trip to Cardiff is bound to feel a bit like going home.

“My wife and kids are Welshspeaking. It’s their first language. It’s a big part of my coaching and a big part of my life,” acknowledged Wilson.

“I’ve coached a lot of those players individually and collectively, with Wales Under-20s and through the regions, and now I’m going to be coaching against them.

“There are two sides to the coin. There are bits and pieces about them I’m aware of, but there’s also a group of people who know a huge amount about me as a coach as well.

“It’s going to be a very short window of prep so I understand I’ve got to be patient in terms of trying to put things in place. But it’s the first opportunity to do it and see how it goes against a very good opposition. I’m excited and very motivated.”