The 38-year-old has ben appointed on a three-year contract at the BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park after vacating his post as forwards coach at Bristol Rugby. And Wilson, who has a wealth of regional knowledge after coaching spells with the Newport Gwent Dragons and Scarlets, is hoping to take the region back to where they belong.
He said: “In the long term, climbing the league and, ultimately, getting back into European rugby has to be a goal for the region. Where and when that happens is something we need to do and make assessments from getting in the door. The capital city needs the Cardiff Blues performing and climbing the league and that is exactly what we intend to do.
“Obviously, 10th in the league is not where the Cardiff Blues want to be. It’s a club which is steeped in history and tradition and it’s something that I’m really looking forward to getting started. There’s a bit of work to be done there, but it’s something I’m really looking forward to getting my teeth into.”
Wilson lead the Wales Under-20s to successive Junior World Championship finals in 2012 and 2013 and helped unearth some of the stars of Welsh rugby today. The Weston-super-Mare born coach is tasked with improving on the Blues’ dismal 2013/14 Guinness PRO12 campaign. The capital city region managed just seven wins from 22 league matches last time out. And now Wilson must begin his search for his backroom staff.
He said: “The view of the board and the view of Cardiff Blues is that rugby decisions will be down to the head coach,” he said. Obviously there are other people involved in decisions like in any other job, but the relevant decisions for rugby will down to myself. And I think for the future that’s important for the job and to be accountable for what you do.”
