Wasps rugby director Dai Young signs long-term contract extension

Wasps have confirmed that director of rugby Dai Young has signed a long-term contract extension with the Aviva Premiership club.

The 50-year-old joined the club in 2011 and has been an integral part of Wasps since then. He even guided the Ricoh Arena outfit to the final of the Aviva Premiership last season.

"As a proud Welshman, I am obviously humbled by being talked about as a possible future national coach," Young said, in a statement released by Wasps.

"However, here at Wasps, we have made really good progress over the past few years and there is still so much to come.

"I am excited by the potential this squad has, and I want to be here to help them fulfil it.

"We were only seconds away from lifting the (Premiership) trophy last season, and I want to play my part in going that final step and taking this squad as far as I know it can.

"Our fans and everyone at the club deserve success, and I want to be here to help us achieve it."

Under Young, Wasps have been European Champions Cup quarter-finalists in each of the past three seasons, and they are now firmly established in the midlands after moving from London to Coventry's Ricoh Arena.

"After our move to Coventry, it feels like we have started again and taken on a fresh, really exciting challenge," Young added.

"The next step for us is to be consistently involved at the top end of the Premiership table and in the European Champions Cup knockout stages.

"My focus now will be on keeping things fresh to ensure we keep moving the club forwards. I am confident of achieving that with the staff we have in place and the new additions coming in next season, and I am looking forward to the challenge."

Meanwhile, Wasps chief executive Nick Eastwood expressed delight on Young committing his future to the club.

"This is a massively important announcement regarding the long-term future of the club," Eastwood said. "Dai is one of world rugby's most respected figures, and I am delighted that he will be staying with us.

"Dai is at the centre of everything that is happening at Wasps. He is integral to Wasps' current performance level and future development.

"You never get anything less than 100 per cent commitment and honesty from him, and he holds a tremendous amount of respect among the players, back-room staff and fans."