New reports are linking the 16-cap international with a move to Wales this summer
Cardiff Rugby are interested in securing the services of former England international Matt Banahan this summer, according to reports.
The former Bath and Gloucester man, who won 16 caps for his country and represented them at the 2011 Rugby World Cup, has a growing reputation in the world of coaching.
After a two-year stint as an assistant coach in the Scotland Women’s set-up, the 39-year-old has spent the last year in the same role with Premiership Women’s Rugby side Gloucester-Hartpury.
However, Banahan could now make the move into coaching in the men’s game, with RugbyPass reporting that he is a target for Cardiff boss Corniel van Zyl.
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According to the report, the United Rugby Championship side are believed to be interested in offering the Jersey-born former wing the job of backs coach, with van Zyl said to be looking to revamp his coaching staff ahead of next season.
The South African coach has led the region this season after former boss Matt Sherratt left six days before the start of the URC season to take up the job of Wales attack coach.
However, van Zyl – who joined Cardiff as forwards coach in 2024 – was only officially made the region’s permanent head coach last month as he signed a new long-term deal to stay at the Arms Park.
His current coaching staff comprises Gethin Jenkins (defence), Jonny Goodridge (skills) and Scott Andrews (scrum).
Banahan also coached Gloucester’s academy side when he retired in 2021, before also working with Exeter Chiefs women.
While he left the Scottish set-up shortly before last year’s World Cup, he previously admitted he could see himself working in the women’s game for “another 20 years”.
“Sometimes people think about money, ego, but that didn’t fall into my radar,” he said in a 2024 interview with The Telegraph.
“I wanted to go somewhere to work and enjoy it and transfer all the stuff I’ve been taught over my career, with my personality being probably best suited in this area. I think that’s why I enjoy it so much. It suits me as much as them, hopefully.
“Sometimes people take them five to 10 years to find that sort of remit where they should be coaching whereas I’ve been fortunate that I’ve found it very quickly. There’s no reason why I couldn’t be in this for another 20 years.”
“In the men’s game at the moment you could have a coaching contract and it could get ripped up if you’re not performing and it’s a very dog-eat-dog world,” Banahan continued.
“We’re creating something that is growing. I genuinely think there were three really good games [last weekend] that will actually open people’s eyes and go, ‘This isn’t the same game that was played five years ago or 10 years ago’.”
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