Chris Dicomidis returns to Cardiff as Gafyn Cooper departs for Leinster

Chris Dicomidis will return to Cardiff as team manager after long-serving rugby operations manager Gafyn Cooper accepted an opportunity to join Leinster.

Cooper, who has been with the club since 2006, and is in his 13th season in the current role, will become team operations manager at the Irish Province in the New Year.

An extensive handover period will now begin with former player Dicomidis working alongside Cooper.

Dicomidis is currently Pontypridd head coach and the Welsh Rugby Player Association’s Professional Development Manager at Cardiff.

He previously spent three seasons at the Arms Park, making 23 appearances, and hung up his boots earlier this year following a hugely successful semi-professional career, in which he amassed more than 400 appearances for Pontypridd.

Dicomidis said: “I’m really grateful to Pontypridd, who allowed me the opportunity to become head coach this year but the chance to move back into the professional game is too good to pass up.

“I am really excited about the challenge. Gaf is leaving some big boots to fill but I’m thankful to Richard Holland and Matt Sherratt for putting their faith in me.

“There is a great group of players and staff both on and off the pitch at the Arms Park, who I have got to know well over the last year in my role with the WRPA.

“It is an exciting time for the club and I am looking forward to playing my part.”

For Cooper, who served as Youth Team captain in 1994, the move to Dublin brings a long association with the Blue & Blacks to an end.

He worked his way through both coaching and management roles through the community game, academy and semi-professional set-up before becoming rugby operations manager for the senior squad.

He added: “The decision to leave Cardiff has been one of the hardest decisions I have made, both on a professional and personal level.

“My association with Cardiff stems back to 1994, and I have been proud to represent the club as a youth player and in the roles I have held across the academy, Premiership and the professional team since 2006.

“I would like to thank the countless players, back room and administration staff, board members and coaching staff that I have worked alongside, for the help and support they have given me throughout my tenure at the club. I wish the club every success in the future.

“I am hugely excited to be joining Leinster Rugby as Team Operations Manager and working alongside the staff and players of such a successful club.”

Cardiff Rugby head coach Matt Sherratt added: “We are very sad to see Coops leave Cardiff. He is a big part of the club and has done so much behind the scenes over the years.

“I know it was a tough decision for him as he’s a passionate Cardiff man. However we understand it’s an exciting opportunity for Coops and his wife Dee to gain a new experience and for Coops to work at Leinster, and we wish him all the best. He’ll always be welcome back at his club Cardiff.

“Dico was an obvious replacement. He’s a really good person, knows the environment, has good relationships with staff and players and has a connection with the club.

“Coops and Dico will now work together for a significant handover period to ensure there is a smooth transition.”