00:00Former Wales attack coach Stephen Jones is emerging as a leading candidate to succeed Matt Sherratt as Cardiff's rugby head coach.
00:09A 47-year-old has spent the last two seasons with Mona Pasipka in New Zealand as their super rugby competition,
00:17marking his first coaching role since leaving Wales' national team following Warren Gatlin's return in 2022.
00:23Jones' tenure with Moana Pasipka concluded at the end of the 2025 super rugby season and he has since returned to Wales with discussions reportedly underway about his potential appointment at the Arms Park.
00:41Sherratt's departure was confirmed on September 22nd as he accepted the role of Wales' senior men's attack coach under Steve Tandy.
00:49The news comes just days before Cardiff's United rugby championship season opener against the Lions.
00:57In the interim, forwards coach Cornel Van Zeele along with Gethith Jenkins, Johnny Goodridge and Scott Andrews will lead the club with no fixed time frame on when a permanent head coach will be appointed.
01:09Jones is no stranger to Welsh rugby, having previously served as Scarlet's attacking coach and then joining the Wales set-up from 2019 to 2022.
01:21During that time, he had developed a reputation for implementing exciting attacking rugby that relied on local talent,
01:27a style that could appeal to Cardiff as they look to build on Sherratt's foundations.
01:31His familiarity with the domestic game and experience coaching at international level make him a strong contender,
01:42particularly given Cardiff's need for continuity in the attacking department.
01:47While the timing of Sherratt's exit is far from ideal, Jones' potential return to Wales presents an opportunity for Cardiff to secure an experienced coach capable of leading the team forward.
01:58With the URC season about to begin, the focus will now be on ensuring a smooth transition and maintaining the progress Sherratt achieved,
02:06keeping the club competitive and allowing the attacking game to flourish under a capable successor.
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