Cardiff are working hard to strengthen the squad

Cardiff coach Corniel van Zyl(Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency)

Cardiff are making progress with recruitment and have kept all the players they wanted to retain, says coach Corniel van Zyl.

Recruitment and retention has been very difficult for all four of Wales’ professional clubs this season given all the uncertainty off the field. Cardiff have some key players out of contract but have made progress with regards retention.

The club are also working hard to strengthen the squad with Wales outside-half Jarrod Evans understood to be a potential target.

“To be perfectly honest with you we have been more focused on retention and trying to keep the players we have in the set-up to persuade them to commit their futures to Cardiff which is the main plan,” said van Zyl.

“We will start announcing a few signings in the near future. Hopefully there will be a couple this week.

“We’ve managed to keep all of the players we want to keep which is positive.

“To look from outside of Wales and then also from other Welsh-qualified players. It does become a little bit more tricky.

“We’ve got a process we follow. To be in line with the WRU and what they want.

“That’s all in place. We are starting to look at players from outside now as well.

“We are trying to get as many Welsh-qualified players in as possible.”

Cardiff are fifth on the United Rugby Championship table five points off top spot with van Zyl having done a tremendous job since taking over at short notice from former head coach Matt Sherratt who is now part of Steve Tandy’s coaching team with Wales.

The South African had recently confirmed he had held talks with Italian outfit Benetton to take over as head coach but that vacancy has now been filled by former Wales boss Wayne Pivac.

“From a personal point of view, yes, I’ve had positive conversations with Cardiff,” he said.

“We will be able to say a little bit more in the near future.

“I still have my forwards coach role in place it is just whether it is going to change to a different role.

“It is still definitely fixed for forwards coach.”