Coaches Burnell and Baber set to leave Blues

Cardiff Blues look set to part company with coaches Justin Burnell and Gareth Baber – provided agreement can be reached on the settlement of their contracts.

New director of rugby Phil Davies pledged to review all aspects of the Blues’ squad and team management when he took over last month.

Wales Online understands neither Burnell nor Baber feature in Davies’ future plans, though they both have a year remaining on their present deals so any parting of the ways will be subject to negotiation.

The pair took charge of the region last season following the departure of Dai Young a year ago and led the side to the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup.

But they endured a disappointing campaign in the RaboDirect Pro12 and were hammered by Leinster in that last eight clash in Europe.

The end of the season saw the announcement of mass playing departures, poor attendances and disappointing performances, with the Blues board later taking the drastic step of moving back to Cardiff Arms Park from Cardiff City Stadium after three years as tenants of the football club.

The Blues reported a £2.3m loss in their most recent set of accounts.

If Burnell and Baber’s departures are rubber-stamped, it’s unclear who Davies would bring in to replace them.

Former Wales and Lions scrum-half Robert Jones may be an option to take charge of the backs, having worked with Davies at the Scarlets.

Davies himself intends to take a hands-on role with the forwards, though he may need to reinforce his staff given his wider brief.