Dai Young steps back from Wasps director of rugby role

Dai Young is stepping back from his director of rugby role by Wasps after nine years at the Premiership club.

Another underwhelming season domestically coupled with a pool-stage exit in the Challenge Cup has urged the Wasps board into action.

But, according to CoventryLive, the Welsh coach has not had his contract terminated and the reshuffle comes with the intentions of being only on an interim basis.

Wasps backs coach Lee Blackett has been tasked with taking charge of first-team duties as interim head coach, with a trip to Leicester Tigers in the Premiership just four days away.

After guiding the club to the Premiership final in 2017 and the semi-finals a year later, Wasps have been on the decline following the exodus of star players like Danny Cipriani, Christian Wade and James Haskell.

A finish of 8th in the Premiership standings last year has been followed by six defeats in nine league matches so far this campaign.

And, while Saracens’ relegation to the Championship has been made a certainty for breaching the salary cap, Wasps have made a change to their coaching restructure for at least the short-term.

Disappointing as the season may have been, Wasps have picked up their form on the road in recent outings with wins over Bristol Bears and Worcester Warriors.

The 30-26 victory at Sixways came with some relief for Young.

“It was great to get a bonus point, but I was more pleased just to win,” Young said after the game.

“It could have gone either way, let’s be honest. There wasn’t much between the teams.”