Dale McIntosh: Cardiff Blues coach glad to see season's end

New Zealand-born Dale McIntosh won two caps for Wales

Guinness Pro12: Cardiff Blues v Zebre
Venue: Arms Park, Cardiff Date: Saturday, 16 May Kick-off: 15:00 BST
Coverage: Updates on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and the BBC Sport website.

Cardiff Blues coach Dale McIntosh admits he will be glad to see the back of a disappointing season.

McIntosh and Paul John have been in charge since Mark Hammett left after only six months as the region's director of rugby.

Blues are third from bottom of the Pro12 and McIntosh said he had never experienced such a season of negativity.

"It's been tough for a number of reasons," said McIntosh.

"I've never been in this situation before. I've never had a season of this negativity but we've got to move on."

Former New Zealand hooker Hammett was appointed for 2014-15, replacing former Wales international Phil Davies.

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But his tenure was cut short during a campaign in which Blues failed to qualify for the top tier of Europe competition next season.

Blues will hold interviews for the vacant head coach role at the end of the Pro12 season.

Wales assistant coach Rob Howley, Bristol forwards coach Danny Wilson and former Ulster boss Mark Anscombe - father of Blues fly-half Gareth - are among those under consideration.

Ex-Pontypridd team-mates McIntosh and John will lead the team into their final game of the campaign at home to Zebre on Saturday.

Both men have applied for the vacant director of rugby role but McIntosh does not know whether they will be kept on by the region.

"You read in papers this, this and this and it's hardly confidence building as far as I'm concerned as an individual," McIntosh added.

"But I've got to be strong enough and big enough to get through that.

"I want to be here. I love the boys to death, love the environment and love Cardiff Blues.

"All I can do is hope and pray people appreciate what myself and Johnsy have tried to do here.

"But the decisions are above me."

Former Wales international Adam Jones will start for the Blues against Zebre, his final game for the region before his move to Harlequins.