Cardiff set for major coaching overhaul
CARDIFF are set for an overhaul of their coaching team with T Rhys Thomas and Richie Rees wanted by clubs outside of Wales.
The Arms Park has not been a happy place after director of rugby Dai Young was suspended in April following a number of complaints from employees.
An investigation is currently underway but it seems unlikely Young will resume his duties as director of rugby next season, while more coaches are expected to leave.
WalesOnline understands highly rated forwards coach Thomas (pictured) is on the verge of joining English Premiership outfit Gloucester next season.
We have also been told assistant coach Rees is on the radar of a leading Japanese club but there is some way to go before it becomes a done deal, while Duane Goodfield has also left the Arms Park.
Should they all depart it would leave Matt Sherratt as the only senior coach at Cardiff which is far from the ideal scenario with defence guru Richard Hodges having also left to join Italian strugglers Zebre.
The next few seasons are likely to be very tough for all four Welsh sides with a period of austerity on the cards. Playing budgets are being cut significantly while the wages of players are being driven down.
Squad sizes are expected to drop from 48-50 to 42 next season, with the Professional Rugby Board considering a loan system in the case of an injury crisis.
Efforts are being made to improve the academy and development system in Wales but that will take years to have any real bearing on performances at regional level.
The changes are being felt more felt more acutely at Cardiff due the number of players they have on their books who were in the now defunct National Squad 38.
Cardiff have already lost players they would ideally have kept with Dillon Lewis and Jarrod Evans off to Harlequins while Max Llewellyn has joined Gloucester.
Experienced campaigners such as Dmitri Arhip, Uilisi Halaholo, Rey Lee-Lo, and Lloyd Williams are others who won’t be there next season. Should Young depart the new head coach has a thankless task putting a squad together on a shoestring budget, making it vitally important Cardiff appoint a new coaching team as soon as possible.