Cardiff Blues: Gruff Rees and Rhys Thomas given coaching roles

Gruff Rees (left) with former Ospreys head coach Steve Tandy and his successor Allen Clarke

Gruff Rees has been appointed as Cardiff Blues' academy manager for the 2018-19 season.

He joins the region following 13 years at the Ospreys, where he had been backs coach since 2012.

Former Wales and Blues hooker Rhys Thomas has been named the academy skills coach.

Thomas and Rees will join Richie Rees, Duane Goodfield and Robin Sowden-Taylor as part of John Mulvihill's backroom staff.

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Rhys Thomas made 182 appearances for Cardiff Blues between 2003-2012

Rees, who spent his playing days at Cardiff RFC, said he "can't wait to get started".

As part of his new role he will oversee the age-grade sides and the new development team which will be in place for next season.

"It's great to be returning to work in Cardiff, and the potential within this group of boys is really exciting," he said.

Rees said he "thoroughly enjoyed" his time with the Ospreys and took pride in seeing local youngsters such as Justin Tipuric, Rhys Webb, Dan Biggar and Owen Watkin break into the first team.

Thomas spent 10 seasons with Cardiff Blues as a player before moving to Wasps and then to the Dragons, where he joined the coaching team after retiring as a player.

"It's a club that is close to my heart, having been born and raised in the region and spent the majority of my playing career here. It feels like I'm coming home," said Thomas.