Cardiff Blues bring Mark Ring and Dale McIntosh into coaching staff for 2013/14 season

Cardiff Blues have bolstered their coaching set-up by bringing on board former Welsh internationals Mark Ring and Dale McIntosh.

Arms Park legend Ring and Pontypridd great McIntosh will add their expertise on a part-time basis while retaining their current roles.

Former Wales centre Ring is backs coach at Cardiff RFC, while the Kiwi-born McIntosh was named Premiership coach of the year after guiding Ponty to the league and cup double.

They will focus on attack and defence respectively in their work with the Blues. Another addition to the coaching team is recently retired hooker Andi Kyriacou, who has had to hang up his boots because of a neck injury.

These appointments come in the wake of defence coach Xavier Rush parting company with the region to pursue a career in property development.

Director of rugby Phil Davies commented: “Last season saw us blood a number of young players and 20 matches were won or lost by less than one score. “With that in mind, one of the main areas we wanted to develop was the technical skills in attack and defence as well as the set piece, especially the scrum.

“We aim to bolster the coaching team with the appointment of Dale McIntosh, Andi Kyriacou, Mark Ring who will be involved on specific times throughout the week with player skill development.”Meanwhile, the Blues have also confirmed their ins and outs for next season on the playing front.

The arrival of vastly experienced Wales front rowers Gethin Jenkins and Matthew Rees from Toulon and the Scarlets respectively have been well trailed, but now a number of young recruits to the squad have been revealed.

Among these is openside flanker Ellis Jenkins, who led Wales U20s to the final of the IRB Junior World Championship this month.

He graduates from the Blues Academy, along with centres Tom Pascoe and Aled Summerhill, back rower Ben Roach and full-back Will Thomas.

Centre Richard Smith steps up from Cardiff RFC, while second row Miles Normandale comes on board from Cardiff Met.

Director of Rugby Davies said: “I’m hugely excited by the new arrivals from the experienced Gethin Jenkins and Matthew Rees to the youngsters we have coming through.

”The Blues have also confirmed their full list of departures.Long-serving players Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), Ceri Sweeney and Tom James (both Exeter) are moving on, along with Sale-bound Kiwi Michael Paterson and utility back Jason Tovey, who is returning to the Dragons after just one season at the Arms Park.

Other players who have headed for the exit door include props Campese Ma’afu (Nottingham), Nathan Trevett (London Welsh) and Jake Cooper-Wooley (Wasps),  with young locks Matthew Screech and Cory Hill moving to the Dragons and Cornish Pirates respectively.

Davies commented: “All the players leaving have given fantastic service to the Blues during their period of time with us. “We wish them well for the future and with their rugby careers.”

Players Arriving 
Gethin Jenkins – Toulon, Matthew Rees – Scarlets, Richard Smith – Cardiff RFC/Wales seven, Miles Normandale – Cardiff Met, Aled Summerhill – Blues Academy, Ben Roach – Blues Academy, Ellis Jenkins – Blues Academy, Tom Pascoe – Blues Academy, Will Thomas – Blues Academy

Players Departing
Jamie Roberts - Racing Metro, Ceri Sweeney - Exeter, Tom James - Exeter, Michael Paterson - Sale, Jason Tovey - Dragons, Campese Ma’afu - Nottingham, Ryan Harford - Cardiff RFC, Nathan Trevett - London Welsh, Matthew Screech - Dragons, Darren Harries - Scarlets, Jake Cooper-Wooley - Wasps, Cory Hill - Moseley, Petru Tamba - Unattached