Dai Young’s first win ‘a bit spoilt’ after late arrival

Colin Newboult

Wasps' head coach Dai Young

Cardiff Blues’ interim director of rugby Dai Young was disappointed that traffic on the motorway forced him to miss the start of their game against the Scarlets.

The former Wales international was taking charge of his first match since returning to the region after a decade away, but was absent for part of the first half after being stuck on the M4.

Young’s first thoughts were with those affected in the serious accident, but the 53-year-old was also frustrated that he couldn’t be there for the whole of the 13-10 victory over the Llanelli outfit.

Stuck for over four hours

“I couldn’t be more frustrated, before the game sat on the motorway for four and half hours,” he told reporters.

“First and foremost, let’s hope whoever was involved in that accident are ok, that’s the most important thing.

“It’s quite tough sitting on the motorway four and a half hours desperate to get to your first game so it spoilt it a bit for me.

“I think I missed the first 10 minutes, when I got there we were seven-nil up so I felt like turning around and going back and making sure I didn’t spoil it for the players!

“I got there in the end, but it would have been a little bit better if I got there on time.”

Two key players in the win were Seb Davies and man of the match James Botham, and the new boss praised the impact of those youngsters.

“It’s a measure of the men,” Young added.

“Both are young men with big futures in front of them. They are going to have ups and downs and it’s how you bounce back from those disappointing moments.

“I think the two of them bounced back in the right manner, by doing their talking on the field.

“I am sure they’re hugely disappointed but that’s the only thing they can do, go out there and perform well and keep on putting their hands up. I thought they showed what they are made of.”