Smith joins Cardiff Blues to complete coaching team

May 30 • General News, Guinness Pro14 • 1842 Views • Comments Off on Smith joins Cardiff Blues to complete coaching team

Cardiff Blues are pleased to announce their complete first team coaching staff with Tom Smith joining the region as forwards coach.

The former Ospreys back-row and Elite Performance Manager is the second addition to John Mulvihill’s new look regime at Cardiff Arms Park.

Current defence coach Richard Hodges continues in his role, while academy forwards coach Duane Goodfield will step up to become scrum coach.

Mulvihill, who arrives next month said: “In formatting our new coaching group, I was aware of my responsibility to build on the foundations of the past, look clearly to the future and bring energy, knowledge and excitement to our team.

“I always wanted the best coaches in our program and I am very excited that we have four young Welsh coaches who are ambitious, knowledgeable and excited about our future.

“Tom Smith and Jason Strange are exciting additions to our group, both possessing excellent rugby intellect. They have worked for years developing players of the future and are ambitious driven young coaches.

“Richard Hodges and Duane Goodfield are both respected coaches who have history within our playing group and understand the responsibility they have to continually improve our players to help them reach their potential.

“All four coaches possess great work ethic and knowledge, my job will be to encourage each coach to extend themselves professionally to best serve the team.

“Honesty, integrity and work ethic are the qualities we need to build our coaching culture at the Cardiff Blues. I believe that these men have the right qualities we need to build a winning team and culture for the future.”

During his playing career, Smith made 94 appearances for the Ospreys before being forced to retire due to a serious knee injury.

He went on to become Elite Performance Manager and forwards skills coach at the Ospreys and has also headed up their Anglo-Welsh Cup team.

Now he is ready to take the next step in his career and is excited to work with the wealth of young talent coming through the Blues squad.

Smith said: “This is not only a perfect opportunity for me to take the next step in my development as a coach but it’s also a very exciting time for Cardiff Blues with a new coaching team coming together to build upon the good work Danny Wilson has done.

“A lot has been made about coaching development in Wales so it is great to see Cardiff Blues supporting home grown talent and I am delighted to be a part of that.

“There is a great blend to the squad with so much young, exciting talent and I still believe there is plenty of room for improvement.

“I want to develop a tough, uncompromising pack that go into every game fighting for every scrap and competing in every battle, while doing all the simple things well.”