Next Cardiff Blues Coach?

The Welsh Contenders

In no particular order:

Danny Wilson – Scarlets/Bristol

Apparently just signed with Bristol as forwards coach. But, I suppose its possible that the offer of a head coach position could tempt him back across the bridge. People have had stranger clauses in their contracts. Very successful with Wales U20s and has done a good job with the Turk pack. Has worked at Cardiff Blues previously as an academy coach. He'd be my top choice from within Wales.

Sean Holley – Bristol

Working under Andy Robinson at Bristol, he might be tempted by the chance to be in overall charge at a Welsh side. Was groomed by the Ospreys to be their head honcho but despite winning a few Magners League titles was dumped after they failed to make progress in europe. People seem very keen on him as a candidate but I'm not entirely sure why. He's also distanced himself from the Cardiff job on social media.

Rob Howley – Wales

Former backs coach, it seems likely that at some point he'll step down from his assistants role with Wales to become a head coach somewhere and Cardiff seems a natural choice. However, its very unlikely that he'd make that step before the Rugby World Cup. People have mixed opinions about his period in charge of the Cardiff backs under Dai Young.

Dale McIntosh/Paul John – Cardiff Blues

The Ponty duo are in charge until the end of the season and have six matches in which to make their case. At the moment it seems likely that someone more experienced will be appointed. But hypothetically – if they win every remaining match it'd seem a bit harsh to give them the backseat again. It will be interesting to see if the board tell a new Director of Rugby that he has to keep on these two as his assistants or whether he'll be free to pick his own men. Budget restraints might mean they stay on regardless of whether or not the new head man wants them, which sounds like a wonderful recipe for disaster.

Kingsley Jones – NGD/Russia

Took the opportunity to link himself to the Cardiff job the last time it became available. Clearly would like the opportunity to be head coach in a pro league again. Certainly experienced after a long period coaching in the Aviva premiership. Might appear to the selection panel to be a “safe pair of hands” who would be comfortable working with McIntosh and John. Not sure he'd be the most exciting, ambitious choice but I suspect he has a good chance of getting the job.

Mike Rayer – Bedford Blues

It seems likely that from now until the end of time, Mike Rayer will be linked with Cardiff Blues coaching jobs every time they come up. Aside from his cult hero status, he's been successful with limited resources at Bedford – although they're currently not having the best of seasons. Realistically, coaching in the English Championship doesn't give him more experience of coaching top end club rugby than McIntosh or Paul John and it'd be strange for him to be installed above them. I think Rayer would have been a better choice than Phil Davies but the time where he might have been a real prospect for the Cardiff Blues job may well have passed.

Overseas Contenders

I've avoided big names like Nick Mallet and Graham Henry for obvious reasons – we probably cant afford them. However that doesn't mean a good coach with a lower profile couldnt be found overseas.

Some suggestions:

Gert Smal - Unattached

Until recently was Ireland's forwards coach and before that ran the Springbok pack when they won the 2007 world cup. He's currently out of work and a forwards specialist seems like a good idea considering how uninspiring our forwards have been for some time. However, all his experience seems to have been as an assistant rather than a top dog.

Gary Gold - Unattached

Bath made a strong start to the season – then dumped their Director of Rugby. Their fans were unhappy about a move which seems perhaps more to do with a personality clash with their owner than with anything that happened on the field. If the Cardiff board are looking outside Wales, then as a highly experienced coach (but with not so high a profile that he'd cost the earth) Gold must be a strong candidate.

Damien Hill – Unattached

Was coach of the Melbourne Rebels in Super rugby for two seasons. Under him, they improved every year. The decision to replace him seems to have been more a case of management feeling he'd taken them as far as he could - rather than because he was deemed to have failed. Has a unusual background in sports science and other sports – mainly aussie rules. He might be an ideal candidate if the board want a Director of Rugby to be a man in a shirt and tie rather than a tracksuit - ie more of an overseer whilst the assistants lead the day to day training.

Scott Johnson – Scotland

Set to become Scotland director of rugby now that Vern Cotter is coming in as coach. However, considering Scotland's abject displays recently, surely there will be pressure on the SRU to reconsider the value of keeping him on. Should that happen, he's sure to be linked with the Cardiff job. Has plenty of contacts in Wales, but has no real success as a head coach or director of rugby.

Chris Malone – Sydney University

Australia's Shute Shield is their highest profile domestic club competition and has produced several notable coaches over the years. Unknown coach Michael Cheika joined Leinster from Shute Shield club Randwick several years ago and he proceeded to transform them into the top side they are now. Currently, Sydney University dominate the Shute Shield and are coached by Malone, who not so long ago was playing professionally as a 10 in the Aviva Premiership. If the board want to take a punt on a potential star coach of the future, he might be a good bet.

Colin Cooper – Taranaki/NZ Maori

New Zealand's ITM Cup is their highest profile tournament below super rugby and features a number of experienced and up and coming coaches. Ospreys recently signed Waikato head coach Chris Gibbes as their forwards coach – which suggests that ITM Cup coaches are not so well paid that they cant be tempted by jobs in Wales. Cooper is a former coach of the Junior All Blacks and coached the Hurricanes in Super Rugby for four seasons. Getting the job of coaching the Maori attests to the high standing he still enjoys in New Zealand. If we look overseas, New Zealand seems an ideal place and Cooper seems the sort of low profile but highly experienced coach who may well fit the bill.

Tana Umaga – Counties Manukau

After a false start at Toulon, Umaga is beginning to build an impressive track record as a coach back in New Zealand. He's taken unfashionable Counties Manukau into the top division of the ITM Cup and made them Ranfurly Shield holders. Held in high esteem in New Zealand, Umaga is in prime position to take a coaching job in Super Rugby should one become available. If that doesn't happen, a coaching role overseas might appeal. His stature as a player would make for a headline grabbing (and probably quite expensive) signing, despite his relative inexperience as a coach.

Chris Boyd – Wellington/NZ U20

Current coach of the ITM Cup champions. Giving him control of the under 20s suggests the kiwis rate him very highly indeed. Like Umaga he would be likely to be first out the blocks next time a super rugby coaching job appears. And like Umaga, if he doesn't get one a move overseas might be an obvious step. He might be little known but signing Boyd would be a genuinely ambitious move from our board and he might come cheaper than Umaga – who can probably still trade off his playing reputation to some extent.