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Cardiff Silent On Dai Young . . . As Scarlets Confirm Leigh Halfpenny Is One Of 15 Leaving

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By David Williams

Cardiff have offered no explanation to their supporters over what has happened to their director of rugby, Dai Young.

The Arms Park region have confirmed that Young will not attend Saturday’s “Judgement Day” fixture against Ospreys at the Principality Stadium but declined to comment on reports the 55-year-old has been suspended.

There is no mention of Young’s absence on Cardiff’s website and it has not been mentioned to fans via their normally busy social media feeds.

It’s understood that Young did not attend training on Friday as multiple reports said he had been suspended amid alleged complaints made against him by club staff.

Cardiff, meanwhile, would only say that Young, a former Wasps director of rugby, would miss the Ospreys game due to “unforeseen circumstances”.

It is a huge fixture for both United Rugby Championship teams, with Champions Cup qualification on the line.

Cardiff currently top the Welsh Shield by four points from the Ospreys, meaning one point against their west Wales rivals would see them secure a place in next season’s blue riband European club competition.

As Young’s future remains uncertain, so is the next destination of Wales pair Leigh Halfpenny and Rhy Patchell who are among 15 players the Scarlets have confirmed are leaving at the end of the season.

Blade Thomson and Josh Helps already announced their retirements, while Tomás Lezana joined French club Montauban during the season.

However, the trio are joined by 15 other players who leave the Llanelli-based side.

Back-rower Sione Kalamafoni joins French side Vannes next season while Javan Sebastian heads to Edinburgh.

Dane Blacker remains in Wales signing for the Dragons, while Aaron Shingler and Alex Jeffries are both to retire.

The club has confirmed that Leigh Halfpenny, Rhys Patchell, Lewis Rawlins, Tom Price, Phil Price, Taylor Davies, Daf Hughes, Corey Baldwin, WillGriff John and Iestyn Rees will also be leaving the club.

“It is always tough to make this announcement; all the players have given so much to the jersey during their time here,” said Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel.

“Players like Shings, Leigh and Patch have played massive parts in Scarlets’ successes in the league and in Europe over the years; Lewis Rawlins is a club centurion, while Phil Price, Tom Price, Dane and Sione have played more than a half-century of matches.

“Every player has been committed Scarlets during their time here, and I thank them all for their contributions and also for the professional manner in which they have handled what has been a difficult process this season. Our best wishes go out to them all for what comes next.

“I am sure all will have fond memories of this place, and all will want to help us finish this season by being part of a squad that wins a European trophy.”

The departing players will receive a presentation in front of the supporters after the final home game of the season, as per the club’s tradition.

The presentation will take place after the Challenge Cup semi-final against Glasgow Warriors next week.

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