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Cardiff Blues to fight for Young

Tuesday 24th June 2008

Fighting talk: Young is a wanted man but Cardiff Blues are ready to fight for him

Cardiff Blues Chairman Peter Thomas has warned Leicester he will not let Head Coach Dai Young go without a fight.

Young has been heavily linked with the vacant job at Welford Road and in recent days the interest in the former Wales prop has intensified.

It is understood that Leicester chiefs are chasing immediate talks with Young, who led the Blues into the Heineken Cup quarter-finals this season.

With two Welsh regions witnessing coaching departures already this year, Phil Davies leaving the Scarlets and Lyn Jones the Ospreys, Thomas has said he does not believe Young will make it three.

He added that when Young does eventually move on from the Blues it should only be to become the coach of Wales.

"I am flattered on Dai's behalf that a wonderful club like Leicester should be interested in him, it is a reflection on us, that we are going in the right direction," Thomas told The Western Mail.

"But I cannot see it happening myself. Dai is under contract for two years and the last time we spoke he was full of enthusiasm about the squad, the new training facilities and the new stadium.

"I cannot see him even contemplating this. His heart and soul is with the Blues and he is too loyal and too committed to leave us at the moment.

"I have no doubt that one day Dai Young will be involved at a higher level.

"He has worked with the Barbarians but I am sure there could be opportunities with the British Lions as well.

"I have always said too that he is a Wales coach for the future. Maybe three or four years down the line that may materialise.

"I hold Dai in the highest esteem and there are bound to be top clubs in Europe wanting a coach of his quality.

"But I say categorically, he is too committed to us."

That said Thomas will still have a battle on his hands if Leicester come calling for Young, such is the pulling power of the East Midlands club.

Leicester have been linked with high-profile names like World Cup winner Jake White, former Blue Bulls coach Heyneke Meyer, recently deposed Irish supremo Eddie O'Sullivan and All Blacks assistant Wayne Smith.

Although it is Young, who has received much praise in England for the way in which he has shaped the Blues over the past few seasons, who is the dark horse to take the job.

Leicester are after a leader who is prepared to get on the training field and get his hands dirty, rather than a Director of Rugby figure.

However there is one major stumbling block at Welford Road at present, Leicester's reluctance to clear out their entire back-room staff. With Neil Back and Richard Cockerill still in jobs several coaches are turning down the chance to coach there, with Young feeling the same.