Paul John may retain the title of head coach, but by his own admission his hands will be full for most of the season as the backs coach at Cardiff Blues. That means the coaching reins will be held by Geraint Lewis and Gareth Wyatt, two players who won international honours from the club and who, like John and Dale McIntosh before them, bleed black and white when they are cut.
“It gets more and more difficult to win the Principality Premiership every season and it is a constant challenge to maintain high standards season in, season out. We may have won the title for the past four years, but every game we play is like a cup final for the opposition,” said John.
“It is a huge challenge to keep going, but that is the aim and we are looking forward to it. Geraint and Gareth will have much more of a hands on role at the club this season and I couldn’t be leaving the coaching duties in more capable or committed hands.”
That might be the case, but the two men couldn’t have asked for a more difficult opener than facing Rowland Phillips’ Neath side at Sardis Road on Saturday. Phillips has returned to the former director of rugby role he held at The Gnoll when they won the title five years in a row.
“It was a huge relief to beat Cardiff in the British & Irish Cup qualifier last weekend, but there will be even more nerves around when we kick-off the defence of the Premiership title against Neath. It is the start of a long, hard league campaign and Gareth and I are responsible for trying to keep the trophy at Sardis Road,” explained Lewis, who is contracted to the Blues as a regional coaching officer.
“It’s good that we both understand the culture and spirit of Ponty rugby having both played here for so long. It’s also great that Paul and Dale will be there looking over our shoulders and offering advice.
“That said, Gareth and I want to stamp our own style on things. It would be stupid to dramatically change what has been so successful in the past, especially as the club has been so excellently coached, but there will be a few tweaks here and there.”
Lewis won 16 caps for Wales from both Ponty and Swansea. He also played professionally at Rotherham, Bath and Bristol. He cut his teeth as a coach at his home town club, Llantwit Fardre, in 2009 before moving on to Aberdare and then, in 2013, Ebbw Vale.
His stay at Eugene Cross Park was brief, a mere six months, before McIntosh was promoted to a full time defence coach role at the Blues. It didn’t take much to entice him back to Sardis Road for a fourth stint and he relished his involvement in another double winning season.
But while the Premiership and Challenge Cup titles remained at Sardis Road, it was the club’s march to the semi-finals of the British & Irish Cup that fired Lewis’ imagination. It conjured up the great days of the old Heineken Cup and gave his players the chance to pit themselves against full-time pros.
“The semi-final clash with Leinster A was a fabulous day, even though we didn’t go through in the end. The fact we were able to play rugby against a team of so many talents, and impose our game on them, made me very proud,” said Lewis.
“It is a great competition for the Premiership clubs to play in and it was marvellous to see Cross Keys reach the final a few years ago. That remains a huge target for us in the future and I know all the players relished the opportunity to face the full time players.”
One blow for Lewis and his team at the start of the season came in the shape of an ankle injury sustained by Wales Under 18 outside half Jarred Evans in the friendly against London Welsh. He has had to undergo surgery and could be ruled out for up to three months.
“Jarred made his debut for us last season against Carmarthen Quins and was man of the match. He’s a Ponty boy and he has all the capabilities to go all the way,” said Lewis.
“It’s a big blow for him to have picked up the injury so early in his career, but we still expect big things from him when he returns to full fitness. I’ve already seen Neil Jenkins and Ceri Sweeney come through the ranks here and go on to play for Wales and Jarred could well be the latest No 10 off the production line in a few years time.”
Principality Premiership Rd 1 – Saturday, 13 September
Aberavon v Cross Keys
Bedwas v Llanelli
Cardiff v Bridgend
Carmarthen Quins v Newport
Ebbw Vale v Llandovery
Pontypridd v Neath
