Dai Young said ‘no’ to national job to stay at Wasps

Dai Young turned down an international coaching offer before re-signing with Wasps to run their Coventry revolution for the next four years.
The Welshman’s new deal through to 2019 as director of rugby is due reward for his loyalty at a time when Wasps were in dire financial straits, losing more than £3m-a-year.   His decision to stay rather than jump ship into the Six Nations coincided with Irish multi-millionaire Derek Richardson rescuing the club.
“I was offered a role with an international team a year ago,” Young said. “I’m not prepared to give any details except to say that I did consider it because, at the time, Wasps were in a strange place. Nobody knew what was going to happen from week to week.
“We were in financial meltdown for 18 months until Derek Richardson came on board and we could see a way forward. I thought about the international offer for a couple of weeks before deciding to turn it down.
“I felt it was important that I stayed for the long haul and I think subsequent events show I made the right decision.
“I would like to think that in four years’ time my record will warrant a coaching role.   I’m ambitious and I want to be able to say that I coached at international level.
‘“Being a proud Welshman, I’d love to coach Wales. Whether that will ever come to be, who knows? I do believe that in four years’ time my CV will give me an international opportunity.   I would also hope to have the option of staying with Wasps.”
Wales are poised to promote another of their new generation of props for the Six Nations – Scarlets‘ loosehead Rob Evans. The 22-year-old from Haverfordwest is expected to be named in the squad on Tuesday as back-up to Gethin Jenkins and Paul James.
Head coach Warren Gatland must decide whether to recall Adam Jones to reinforce his tighthead options following the loss of Rhodri Jones with a damaged shoulder and concerns over Samson Lee’s recovery from a neck injury.
Jones, discarded half an hour into the first of Wales’ two Springbok matches last summer, has not been seen in the Test arena since.    Young, a Lions tighthead in his own right, believes Jones is worth a recall. “If Samson’s not fit, then Adam is the obvious choice for me,” Young said.   ‘’It would be a big chance to show everyone that he still has it in him.
“You don’t become a bad prop overnight and if Adam puts the Welsh jersey on against England, he will do it proud.”
Young also believes that Billy Vunipola, one of his protégés at Wasps before leaving for Saracens, should be recalled as England No. 8 to replace the injured Ben Morgan.
‘’You could understand Stuart Lancaster picking Nick Easter but, for me, Billy Vunipola is the future for England,” said Young.
PETER JACKSON