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Yapp ready for the big switch

Thursday 31st July 2008

Impact player: Yapp made a huge impression when he burst onto the scene

Cardiff and Wales prop John Yapp will switch to tighthead for the coming season after holding talks with both Dai Young and Warren Gatland.

Wales have a distinct shortage of world-class tightheads and Yapp could be the answer for both club and country, as he seeks to get more game time.

The 25-year-old had to settle for second best last season as Gethin Jenkins made the number one shirt his own at the Arms Park. However a move to the other side of the scrum could pave the way for Yapp to make a regular impact this season.

Wales Head Coach Warren Gatland has expressed his concern at the lack of tightheads in Wales, and is also keen to utilise Yapp's considerable presence. And it is no secret Gatland admires Yapp, having tried to sign him when he was coaching at Wasps.

And the Blues are looking for Yapp to oust Gary Powell and Taufa'ao Filise and ensure he forms a formidable prop partnership with British and Irish Lion Jenkins.

"I went to a meeting with Dai Young and Warren Gatland and we spoke about me moving to tighthead," Yapp told The Western Mail.

"I have had limited opportunities at loosehead with Gethin and the other good players in Wales, so we decided I should have a go on the other side of the scrum.

"So I will start the season at tighthead and see how it goes. It gives me a lot of confidence when people like Dai and Warren ask me to do something and believe I can succeed.

"Hopefully, I can prove them right for the Blues and Wales."

Yapp is sensible enough to know the transition to tighthead is going to be a tough one, especially given he is an established loosehead already.

The success rates of props transferring to the either side of the scrum at international levels are rare, with England's Jason Leonard and Italian Martin Castrogiovanni the notable exceptions.

Jenkins himself had a stint playing at tighthead but he never felt fully comfortable with the flexibility of playing two positions.

"It is very hard," said Yapp.

"A lot of people assume it would be easy to change over, but it is a completely different position.

"The scrummaging positions and techniques are a lot different and there are a lot of new things to learn.

"Opposition front rows tend to target the tighthead and that is something I am going to have to cope with."

And with Gatland and Young keen to see him move the former Cowbridge School pupil has spent the off-season playing for Australian side Tuggeranong Vikings at tighthead.

"It felt very strange at first in the opening couple of games," admitted Yapp.

"But I got used to it after a while and it was a good standard to start at.

"It was semi-professional and a similar standard to the Welsh Premiership.

"I have got some videos of my games down there and will start to go through them with Dai next week.

"The plan is to play in a couple of friendlies in the number three jersey and then hopefully I will be ready for some competitive games."