Dave Ellis returns to Blues

Dave Ellis has taken up a fulltime role as skills coach at the Blues after coaching at Connacht who won the Pro12 title for the first time last season.

He was a member of the coaching staff at the International Rugby Academy in New Zealand for 11 years and was a resource coach for the NZRU. He worked with the Black Ferns, USA, the Rugby Academy in South Africa, Hong Kong Rugby and with several clubs in Argentina.

Ellis completes the Blues coaching group that is led by Umaga who will take charge of attack, Alastair Rogers (defence), Steve Jackson (forwards) and Kylie Wilson (mental skills).