It’s Danny bye... but over at the helm for
Who will replace Danny Wilson as head coach of Cardiff Blues when he leaves at the end of the campaign. Andy Howell has come up with a list of possible contenders
Simon Easterby The former Ireland captain and Lions flanker left the Scarlets three years ago to become the astute Joe Schmidt’s assistant with the Irish.
The pair have been an outstanding success with victories over South Africa, Australia, a first in history against New Zealand, which ended the All Blacks’Tier One Test world record-winning streak, and England. Verdict: A potential leading target but, even though his family live in Cowbridge, giving up Ireland of his own volition for the ailing Blues would seem unlikely. Shaun Edwards The Great Britain rugby league great was appointed as a part-time defence consultant by the Blues for this season and his work was evident during last weekend’s victory over Connacht.
Has had experience as a head coach with Wasps, combining his role with them with that of Wales defence guru. Verdict: His motto is “to rest is to rust” and he shown he can combine two jobs. His no-nonsense approach could be what the Blues need, but Wales coach Warren Gatland and the WRU would have to give their blessing. Andy Robinson The former England and Scotland coach, who was Lions forwards coach in 2001 and 2005, has been around the block with club stints at Bath and, most recently, Bristol.
He guided them to promotion to the Aviva Premiership last year, but left part of the way through the season. Verdict: Lives in Bath, coaching is his living and would almost certainly be interested in a chance to turn around what should be one of Europe’s most powerful rugby entities. Stephen Jones The former Wales and Lions outside-half has been a huge hit with his home region Scarlets as backs supremo, the west Walians stylishly racing to last season’s PRO12 title.
Is bright, wants to play the game the right way by entertaining, has huge rugby knowledge, enthusiasm and strong leadership skills.
A lack of pace was a limiter on him as a player, but it was always plain to see he had the potential to become a top coach. Verdict: Lives in Cardiff and would be an exciting appointment by the Blues, although he would have to be released from his contract by the Scarlets. But would he want to leave them for the Blues? Mike Ford The former rugby league star is the father of England play-maker George Ford and broke into union as defence coach of Ireland, later holding down a similar role with England and the 2005 Lions.
Has been head coach of Saracens, Bath – he was Aviva Premiership director of rugby of the year in 2015 – and moneybags Toulon. Verdict: Left the French club at the end of last season to pursue another project and the Blues may interest him ... if the price was right! Jake White Guided his native South Africa to glory at the 2007 World Cup and made a positive impact with Australian side Brumbies and their South African Super Rugby rivals Sharks before acting as Tonga’s technical advisor. Was replaced as coach of French Top 14 club Montpellier by ex-Scotland boss Vern Cotter at the end of last season. Verdict: Is looking for a job and any would interest him, but his asking price may be way too high for the Blues. Gethin Jenkins Wales’ record cap-holder with 129 and five Test outings for the Lions, the prop forward has been there and done it. Will be 37 in November, but remains captain of the Blues and his rugby nous and on-field reading of a game is acclaimed by Wales coach Gatland. Frequent injuries and his age mean the clock is ticking on his playing career. Verdict: Has had an input as a defence organiser in the past and is an influential figure at the Blues. Cannot be ruled out, but is more likely to be approached down the line. Matthew Rees Like Jenkins, another former Wales skipper, and has been working at a lower level as a coach, having been in charge of village club Pontyclun.
The hooker also turns 37 in December and is keen to remain in rugby. Has had the ear of Blues chairman and benefactor Peter Thomas and is ambitious when it comes to coaching. Verdict: Would surely jump at the chance of playing a major role at the Blues, perhaps with Jenkins, if Thomas decides to stay in-house and appoint members of his younger brigade. Mark Anscombe Guided a New Zealand team containing his son Gareth Anscombe at outside-half and a certain Beauden Barrett at full-back to spectacular glory at the 2011 Under-20 World Cup in Italy.
Coached Ulster to top spot in the PRO12 in 2013, but they lost to Leinster in the play-off final. Were beaten by Saracens at the quarter-final stage of the Heineken Cup in the two years he spent in Northern Ireland before being eased out by Ulster. Verdict: His wife was born in Cardiff and Gareth is a key player at the Blues, but being sacked last month as head coach of Canada after just two wins in 15 matches could count against him. Mark Jones The former Wales and Scarlets wing has rebuilt his coaching reputation with north Wales region RGC 1404, guiding them to Welsh National Cup glory last season.
Jones cut his teeth as a skills coach at the Scarlets and had a temporary role with Wales as they lifted the 2013 Six Nations title. Wayne Pivac’s arrival as Scarlets head honcho saw him leave and have a stint with Rotherham. Verdict: A dark horse, but his family live in south Wales and RGC have developed players under his command and played an attractive brand of rugby. Sean Holley Was assistant coach and then head coach of the Ospreys, the region lifting the league title three times while he was involved and blitzing Leicester Tigers in the final of what was then a full-on Welsh Cup. Left the Ospreys by mutual agreement in February 2012, made an impression providing short-term cover for Mark Jones at the Scarlets in 2013 and joined Bristol later that year. Verdict: Bristol were promoted on his watch, but he left before the following season’s Aviva Premiership had kicked off. Impresses as a rugby analyst on television and would relish being main man at the Blues.