AFTER an extensive search, John Mulvihill has been named as Danny Wilson’s successor as Cardiff Blues head coach.
The Australian is currently an assistant coach at second-tier Japanese club Honda Heat, but will leave his role at the end of the season to sign a three-year deal with the Blues.
Mulvihill said: “It is a great honour and privilege to be appointed Head Coach of Cardiff Blues for the next three seasons.
“I see it as not only as great challenge but as a huge opportunity to re-energise a region with awesome potential to be the best in Wales.”
The incoming boss has also said that he aims to base his side around “hard work, commitment and dedication”.
Cardiff Blues chief executive Richard Holland said: “We’re obviously delighted to get John on board and I must thank the WRU for their support.
“I believe John will be the perfect fit for Cardiff Blues. He has an abundance of experience and a track record of bringing through young talent, which is very appealing given the age profile of our squad.
“Work now begins on putting together a coaching team to assist John and our fantastic backroom staff. This will include a backs coach, forwards coach and a scrum coach.”
Mulvihill will begin his role at end of the season, but is keen to keep an eye on how his new team fares until then.
“I am aware the team is still alive in a number of competitions and at this time would like to make sure the focus is still on their preparation and continued success,” he said.
“I would like to wish Danny Wilson, his staff and the players the very best of luck for the remainder of the season and I am sure that they will work hard to achieve the goals that they have set themselves as a group.”
The 51-year old’s only previous experience of coaching in Britain came with a five-year stint as head coach of Irish side Navan RFC between 1998 and 2003.
He then returned to Australia to coach the Gold Coast Breakers and the Queensland Reds regional academy before joining Western Force as an assistant coach when the franchise was formed in 2005. Mulvihill was appointed their head coach in 2012.
He then moved on to Japan, coaching Mitsubishi Dynaboars and Kintetsu Liners, before joining Honda Heat as a backs coach in April 2017.
