Dai Young linked to shock Ospreys switch

After being dramatically relieved of first-team duties earlier in the week, Wasps DoR Dai Young could be in line for a shock return to Wales with a potential switch to the Ospreys.

Young was dramatically relieved of his duties ahead of the club’s weekend Gallagher Premiership derby with midlands rivals Leicester – but hasn’t officially left the club.

The 51-year-old ex-Wales prop was due to take a media conference on Monday, but defence coach Ian Costello took the meeting in his place. Young was apparently in a meeting with chief executive Stephen Vaughan, the ex-Gloucester CEO who took up the reins in Coventry last August.

Nothing major was read into Young’s absence at the time but it has since emerged that his position is now under threat after Wasps issued a statement on Tuesday morning.

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It read: “Director of rugby Dai Young will be stepping back from first-team duties for an interim period. Lee Blackett will step up to interim head coach. Further announcements will be made in due course.”

It is understood that a senior management meeting was called at the Ricoh Arena on Tuesday morning and that the playing squad was issued with an update at the club’s Broadstreet RFC training ground facility shortly thereafter.

RugbyPass now understands that Young could be a real possibility to take over at struggling PRO14 side Ospreys.

The Ospreys parted company with Allen Clarke at the end of last year after which former Wales Grand Slam-winning coach Mike Ruddock took over on an interim basis.

Young is no stranger to the region, having made 42 appearances for Swansea from 1985 to 1988.

He is not the only coach being linked to the job however. According to Wales Online, the region are also being linked with former South Africa attack coach Swys de Bruin.

While Wasps are having a difficult season, Young has overseen significant development and improvement at the club since taking over. Under the Welshman the Coventry based side moved away from the base of the Premiership, went on to make their first Premiership final in 9 years and competed in three straight Premiership playoffs. 

The ability to pick up a club up off the deck - where the Ospreys currently are - suggests the former prop could be an excellent fit.