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Why fans are saluting Dai Young despite his trophy-less stint at Wasps
Wasps fans have highlighted what a heroic job Dai Young done with the club after it was revealed on Tuesday that the director of rugby is stepping back from first-team duties for an interim period.
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The ex-Wales international has been replaced by Lee Blackett during this period, which starts with a Gallagher Premiership trip to nearby rivals Leicester next Saturday.
There has been no suggestion that his contract with Wasps – which doesn’t expire until 2023 – has been terminated, but fans have nonetheless recognised what he has achieved since arriving in 2011.
Despite being one of England’s most successful clubs, Wasps were in a terrible position when Young arrived as director of rugby. The club were in financial trouble and faced ongoing problems with Adams Park, home of football’s Wycombe Wanderers, with whom Wasps shared a ground at the time.
A spate of high profile departures over the seasons prior to Young’s arrival meant he was inheriting a shell of the side that lifted the Heineken Cup twice the previous decade and were last crowned Premiership champions in 2008.
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These names included Lawrence Dallaglio, Phil Vickery, Josh Lewsey and Simon Shaw, as well as younger players like James Haskell and Danny Cipriani. To make matters worse, Dan Ward-Smith, Joe Worsley and Tom Rees all retired during Young’s first season in charge.
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In light of the troubles Wasps were facing, the former British and Irish Lion was able to keep them in the Premiership, finishing eleventh that season, only one point above Newcastle Falcons.
If Dai has gone hope he gets the goodbye and thanks that he deserves. Hasn’t won anything but is a wasps legend for what he gave to the club in his early years
— Curtis Hunter (@curtisjhunter) February 11, 2020
Timing seems off being 4 days before a huge game against tigers after a long break from domestic rugby!!!
Either way if Dai is stepping away he should be remembered as Wasps legend and for everything he has done for the club over the years in some very tough times— Raj Samra (@Rajyybear) February 11, 2020
A move to Coventry’s Ricoh Arena in 2014 brought brighter times and the arrival of a number of stars. Young took Wasps to three consecutive Premiership semi-finals, topping the table in 2017 and narrowly losing to Exeter Chiefs in the final in extra-time. The season before, they had reached the semi-final of the Champions Cup.
Although Wasps are currently enduring a troublesome campaign, sitting in ninth in the Gallagher Premiership and failing to make it out of their Challenge Cup pool, their situation is not too dissimilar to the one that Young was in when he arrived.
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The unluckiest head coach DOR in Prem history? Toiled at the beginning with an under resourced budget and kept the club up and viable. Then the period of a gslactico squad coincided with Saracens cheating and a narrow loss in the final to Chiefs. Last 2 years, club skint again.
— Jonathan Williams (@JPWilliams26) February 11, 2020
Odd timing for him to be relieved of duties…🤔
more to this than meets the eye👀— Sarah Turner (@spanishwhite) February 11, 2020
The club have seen another raft of players depart over the past couple of years such as Willie le Roux, Kurtley Beale, Nathan Hughes and Cipriani after his second stint.
Given the tumultuous time Wasps have had over the past decade, many fans appreciate what a job the 52-year-old did helping one of England’s great sides rise from the ashes.
Dai Young has been nothing less than an absolute mensch for Wasps, a stoic steward guiding a legendary club through some grim times. Lots of reasons for the current downturn, but it is probably time for a change, and if it is the end then he bows out a hero. https://t.co/3S6AsWx4KG
— Iain Alexander (@iaingalexander) February 11, 2020
Yeah seems strange… but 100% Dai gets upmost respect for everything he’s done & I’d always be sad to see him go
— Nathan (@nath_ob) February 11, 2020
It may not have been a spell laden with trophies – none in fact – but it was a job that very few coaches would want to find themselves in, let alone arrive in, and that is why Young has been commended.
With Wasps guaranteed safety in England’s top flight following Saracens’ automatic relegation, this is a perfect time to look to the future and Young’s position has been questioned throughout this season. But if he is to go, there is no doubt that his time with Wasps will be looked at fondly.
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Comments on RugbyPass
South Africa rarely play Ireland and France on these tours. Mostly, England, Scotland and Wales. I wonder why
1 Go to commentsIt was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
1 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
2 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
23 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
2 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
21 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
1 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
13 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
21 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
13 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
23 Go to commentsVern challenging this Blues side might be the edge they need to fulfill their potential. Convincing results from strong D and strong carries are hard to argue against.
1 Go to commentsLove seems to add a strong back field defense with speed to close the gap and tackle to his ability to attack, kick and pass (an accurate long pass). This sets him an edge over some of the other names - JRK in particular. Has to be said that Jordan and Stevenson have also been exposed defensively while Love has yet to face test match intensity. Spoilt for choice.
1 Go to commentsHe’s strung together a few strong seasons, I’d like to see him in the ABs and build some depth along with Reiko and ALB. Levi Aumua hasn’t taken the step we hoped to see but time yet.
2 Go to comments