Cardiff have appointed the former Wales captain Dai Young as head coach following Rudy Joubert's decision to return to South Africa after just a year in charge at the Arms Park.

Joubert, pipped to the vacant Springbok coaching role by Rudolf Straeuli, has been head-hunted by the South African union to take charge of a Super 12 side next year, thought to be the Blue Bulls.

Young is a coaching novice in comparison and has been put in charge while still registered with Cardiff as a player. The 34-year-old prop, who won 51 caps for Wales, had been expecting to coach the forwards next season but now finds himself facing a significantly more demanding role.