Western Province director of rugby Gert Smal has reportedly held talks with the Cardiff Blues over their head coach role.

Smal, who coached Ireland’s forwards between 2008 and 2013, was interviewed by the Blues CEO Richard Holland earlier this month, according to WalesOnline.

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The Blues have been on the lookout for a new coach since incumbent Danny Holland opted not to renew his contract, but rather to take up a role with Wasps at the end of the season.

Current Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd was thought to be the frontrunner for the job, but Cardiff have had to look elsewhere after he decided to join the Northampton Saints as their director of rugby.

Smal joined Western Province as director of rugby in 2014.

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