Former Cardiff Blues outside half, Nick MacLeod, has joined the academy coaching team as a part-time kicking coach.
The 35-year-old from Rhiwbina joins former regional team-mates - Richie Rees, T Rhys Thomas and Gethin Jenkins - in the set-up, which is led by academy manager, Gruff Rees.
MacLeod will be working with the region’s academy and transitional players, concentrating on their kicking techniques and ranges.
The former outside half, who also had stints at Sale Sharks and Dragons, made 82 appearances for Wales’ Capital Region during his five seasons at the Arms Park, scoring 240 points.
MacLeod, who also runs his own bakery company, is delighted to return to his home region, and is excited at the prospect of working with the quality of youngsters in the ranks.
“It’s fantastic to be able to link up with Gruff, Richie and TRT. They’re people who I’ve worked with a lot over the years, and that was a big attraction for me.
“I’m coming back to work with my home region, where I spent a big chunk of my playing days, so it’s very exciting.
“The opportunity to work with the younger guys at the region and pass my experience on to them is very exciting. There is a real potential amongst the ranks here.
“On a personal level, the balance of this role is fantastic. I’ve got my own business interests, but have also been extremely keen to stay in rugby in a coaching capacity.”
Academy manager, Gruff Rees, believes that MacLeod will bring further invaluable experience into the academy coaching staff, and is confident the academy players will prosper from working with the former Wales under-21 international.
“It was a perfect opportunity for us to bring Nick into the academy set-up here, and I’m really looking forward to see how the youngsters will develop under his guidance.
“Nick is a student of the game and understands fully the dynamics of the modern game and the skill-set required to make accurate decisions and execute accordingly. Crucially he can also impart this knowledge to the learners needs and this is vital to our young professionals”
“He’ll be perfect for the likes of Ben Thomas, Ioan Davies, Rhys Davies, Max Llewellyn. Those boys in particular will thrive under his expertise.
“With Nick joining the like of Richie Rees and T Rhys Thomas to form the coaching team, the youngsters we have in this squad will be learning from guys who know what its like to play for this region, and you can’t put a price on that experience.
“Having coaches who understand what the region is about will have a huge impact both on and off the field.”