Saracens bid could spark tug-of-war

May 9 2006 Andy Howell, Western Mail

ENGLISH club Saracens will be hit by a Blues compensation bill should their audacious move for coach David Young come off.

And Young's possible departure could trigger a tug-of-war between the Blues and the Scarlets for the services of former Leeds Tykes boss Phil Davies.

Guinness Premiership under-achievers Saracens hope to lure Young (pictured right) away from the Arms Park with a whopping £150,000 a year contract.

Even though Young would only be the forwards' coach at Vicarage Road, that offer is understood to be £50,000 a year more than he currently earns as the Blues' head coach.

New Saracens director of rugby Alan Gaffney, the former Munster and Australia backs coach, is due to hold a high-powered coaching summit tomorrow.

It should become clear then whether Young - who claimed on the weekend that he had been offered the post of Wales forwards' coach (a claim later denied by Wales coach Gareth Jenkins) - will walk out on the Blues with two years of his contract remaining.

The Blues are desperate to retain the services of former Wales captain Young with chief executive Robert Norster pleading with him to see out his deal.

"Dai is a huge part of our future plans to take the region forward," said ex-Wales and British Lions star Norster. "I think all the talk of Dai moving on is pure speculation. As you rightly point out, he is under contract to us.

"We have not had any formal approach from Saracens or any other party about him."

However, Norster pointed out it was an adult world and it was impossible to stop their coach talking to other clubs.

He admitted, "We have to be grown up about this. We are all big boys and it's good that Dai's stock is rising.

"I guess the fact he has been linked with coaching jobs in the Wales setup has alerted other people to his ability."

The Blues are the highest-placed Welsh region in the Celtic League, 10 points behind leaders Leinster - whom they meet at the Millennium Stadium on Sunday - in third place.

Mathematically, the league title is still a possibility should they collect maximum points from their remaining two matches and both Leinster and second-placed Ulster flop.

But Young has supposedly been alarmed by the decision to trim his squad to 28 next season, with Blues chairman Peter Thomas declaring they want "quality, not quantity".

"After the performances that you have throughout the season, you analyse where you feel there are weaknesses," Thomas said recently.

"If you look at our squad, there is a weakness at full-back, wing and tighthead prop and a need for a recruit in the back row.

"These are four areas that the coaching staff are focusing on and there is money available for top-quality recruits.

"I fully expect him (Young) to be in charge next season and for many, many years to come.

"We have extended his contract and he has another two years after this season."

Should Young depart, former Wales coach hopeful Davies may fill the void - though he is also among the front-runners to succeed Jenkins at the Scarlets this summer.

Meanwhile, Saracens coach Mike Ford - who has been targeted by both England and Wales - last night confirmed he was meeting Gaffney tomorrow for key talks over his future.

Former rugby league star Ford formed a strong bond with Jenkins when they guided the Lions midweek team to an unbeaten record in New Zealand last summer.

Ford has admitted he is interested in succeeding Clive Griffiths as Wales defence coach, though there is also strong interest from England coach Andy Robinson.

He said, "I could turn England down if Wales come in with a better offer. It's nice to be in demand."