Richie Rees takes over Cardiff's attack

Cardiff Blues have confirmed that Jason Strange has left the region with immediate effect with Richie Rees stepping up to take the role of backs and attack coach.

Former Wales U20s head coach Strange was appointed an assistant to John Mulvihill ahead of last season however, he has now departed as preparations gather apace for the 2019-20 campaign.

Rees, who has served as an academy coach at Wales’ Capital Region for the last two seasons and also assisted the first team squad, now takes up the position on a full-time basis.

Mulvihill said: “On behalf of everyone at Cardiff Blues I would like to thank Jason for all of his hard work with our group last season, while welcoming Richie into his new role.

“Despite being a young coach, Richie is already experienced having spent five years as an academy coach at the Dragons, two with our first team and academy and also Wales age-grades and Sevens.

“He will bring a level of clarity and understanding, which the players will find easy to follow, will challenge them to improve both individually and collectively and build strong relationships with the key drivers of our attack.”

Rees made 100 appearances over a five-year stint with Cardiff Blues and was part of the EDF Energy Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup winning squads.

He also won nine Wales caps and enjoyed stints at Ospreys, London Irish, Edinburgh and the Dragons.

Since returning to Cardiff Arms Park in 2017, Rees has been charged with developing some of the young talent to emerge and has worked closely with the likes of Owen Lane, Harri Millard and Ben Thomas

And he is now relishing the opportunity to step up and lead Cardiff Blues attack, especially with so much exciting talent within the ranks.

He said: “I’m really excited for this opportunity and genuinely believe that there is plenty to look forward to. With the standard of this squad and the potential for growth within it, I believe this is a massive opportunity for all those involved.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time working with some of the young talents coming through and having also worked with the senior squad over the last couple of seasons I feel it is the right time for me to step up and challenge myself at the next level and I’m confident I can make a positive contribution in helping Cardiff Blues’ attack succeed.

“There is so much exciting talent here and the challenge is not just to harness and unleash that on a consistent basis, but to help develop individual players and group understanding so we all fulfil our potential”