Cardiff Blues: Paul John shocked by Phil Davies' resignation

Cardiff Blues Paul John

Cardiff Blues co-caretaker coach Paul John has spoken of his shock at the resignation of director of rugby Phil Davies.

The 50-year-old quit in early March amid the side's run of poor results.

John and defence coach Dale McIntosh, who joined the Blues as assistant coaches, have now been put in charge for the final six games of the season while the board look for a successor.

"It was a shock with him resigning and everything," said John.

"From a personal point of view, myself and Dale were really disappointed because he was great to work for. It is disappointing but we have to roll up our sleeves and get on with it."

Davies resigned after bottom side Zebre completed a Pro12 double over Cardiff with a 15-10 win in Parma. He was appointed in May 2012.

John reveals he and McIntosh are doing the job on a joint basis and fully expect a successor to be appointed at the end of the season.

"We have our areas, with Dale looking after defensive and forwards and I am looking at attack and the backs," said John.

"We have worked together long enough now and we both carry on as we are and we will liaise with the board.

Phil Davies presided over a hugely disappointing season for Cardiff Blues

"We will see what we can do and where we get with it. It is up to other people to make those decisions and I could totally understand if somebody comes in."

The Blues have won just four games in the Pro12 and languish 10th in the table.

The club are currently the fourth-highest Welsh side in the league and are four points behind Newport Gwent Dragons.

John says the Blues need to rediscover their confidence but admits only wins will achieve that.

"We will see where we are at the end of it," said John, a former Wales Sevens coach. "The targets are to start performing well, getting some wins obviously if we can and to get some positivity around here.

"We want the boys to express themselves a bit more than maybe they probably did because of nerves.

"We had so many chances in our last game [defeat to Zebre] and we should have won it. If we had, we would be seventh now and you probably wouldn't be talking to me."

Former Worcester, Scarlets and Leeds Warriors coach Davies succeeded Dai Young, who left for Wasps before the 2011-12 season.

Following Young's departure, the Blues appointed forwards coach Justin Burnell and backs coach Gareth Baber as co-interim coaches.

Former Llanelli and Wales forward Davies, who helped guide the Warriors back to English rugby's top flight in 2012, then took over.