Wasps 'disappointed' as Danny Wilson reneges on move to join Scotland as assistant coach

Danny Wilson has reneged on a move to Wasps in order to join Scotland as assistant to Gregor Townsend - and the Premiership side have described it as "a big disappointment".

Wilson had left three-year spell with Cardiff Blues with the intention to join Wasps this summer, but Scotland Rugby have agreed terms with the club to allow him to join their national side and prepare for the World Cup.

Wasps director of rugby Dai Young, whom Townsend thanks for allowing the switch to take place, said on Monday: "This is a big disappointment for us. In addition, the timing could not be much worse.

"Finding someone of Danny's quality and experience who is available at this time of year to supplement our existing coaching team is a difficult proposition.

"Disappointing as this is, I understand that the opportunity to coach a tier one international side through to and beyond the World Cup would always be difficult to turn down as opportunities like this do not come around very often."

Wilson, who has eight-years' elite-level coaching experience in the PRO14 will replace Dan McFarland, who is set to join PRO14 side Ulster in January.

Wilson has coached at three of the four Welsh regions including Newport Gwent Dragons, Scarlets and Cardiff.

Scotland head coach Townsend said: "I'm delighted that we've been able to secure Danny's services and would like to thank Wasps and Dai Young [Wasps Director of Rugby] for enabling that to happen."

Wilson said: "To coach international rugby and go to a Rugby World Cup is obviously the pinnacle of the sport and the goal of most professional coaches. It was therefore a huge honour to be identified by Scotland and offered this role."

Former Worcester Warriors Head Coach Carl Hogg joined the national team on an interim basis for the Scotland summer tour and will see out the remainder of the current campaign as planned.