Ring questions the Blues' progress

Cardiff Blues have taken too long to find their feet as a region, at least that is the view of former Wales back Mark Ring.

Cardiff Blues have taken too long to find their feet as a region, at least that is the view of former Wales back Mark Ring.

With a Heineken Cup quarter-final against Toulouse looming large the focus has been firmly on the region's achievements of late. Sunday will be their first appearance in the Heineken Cup knock-out stages since their inception in 2003, causing Ring to question their progress.

“There's no question that Cardiff have improved as a side and I think that Dai Young has probably improved as a coach, but at what pace?” Ringer told Scrum V.

“The game is moving on at a rapid rate of knots and Cardiff will get there eventually, but it seems to be an awful slow process.

In fact since they contested the inaugural Heineken Cup final in 1996, against Toulouse, they have struggled to perform in Europe's biggest competition. Although with a settled look to their squad it is believed they have finally arrived at the top table.

Despite this Ring is concerned at Young's vision for the Blues, although one can't help but feel he is still bitter about the manner in which his involvement with Cardiff RFC finished.

Having spent his entire career with Cardiff RFC, winning 32 caps for Wales, Ring fell out of favour at the capital club and finished his playing days in Wales with Pontypool RFC before heading into coaching.

He has coached at clubs including West Hartlepool, Cardiff, Penzance Pirates and Caerphilly, and recently returned from Ireland having held a post at the Limerick-based Old Crescent club until last November.

Ring is now coaching for a second spell at Tetbury RFC, who play in the Gloucester Second Division.