Wales have lined up a shock candidate to fill Warren Gatland’s void on a permanent basis, replacing interim coach Matt Sherratt, while Taulupe Faletau is reportedly on the ‘verge’ of a move.
It is widely reported that former Wallabies boss and outgoing Leicester Tigers head coach Michael Cheika is leading the shortlist to take charge of Wales after the Six Nations.
Replacing Warren Gatland
However, they are facing stiff competition from across the Channel from French Top 14 giants Racing 92.
The Parisian club showed Stuart Lancaster the door after a torrid start to this season, with Patrice Collazo brought in to help the team avoid relegation as they recruit his long-term successor.
Cheika also held talks with Australia, with the possibility of him replacing Joe Schmidt at the Wallabies, returning to the role he held until the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
According to a report by Rugby Pass, Cheika has been looking at potential jobs in France having already confirmed that he will step down from his role with the Tigers. With the ex-Wallabies coach exploring his options in France, he has emerged as one of the leading candidates to fill Lancaster’s role.
The publication adds that because of this, the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) have turned their attention to Bristol Bears boss Pat Lam who has emerged as a shock contender.
A swoop for Lam could prove costly for the WRU though as the former Samoan international forward signed a five-year extension to his existing deal with Bristol in 2021, keeping him in the West Country until 2028.
This also comes after Glasgow Warriors assistant coach Nigel Carolan poured cold water on the links between Wales and Franco Smith.
“He’s very coy, and he’s committed to Glasgow Warriors. At the moment, as far as we’re concerned, he’s not going anywhere,” Carolan told The Scotsman.
“He’s making massive plans here for the future. He has told me his plans are to stay here. At the moment he’s 100 percent committed to Glasgow Warriors.”
Wales dealt a blow as sought-after possible Warren Gatland successor is ‘not going anywhere’
Faletau off to Pro D2 strugglers?
Legendary Wales back-rower Faletau is reportedly on the verge of leaving Welsh Rugby with a host of French clubs interested in his services.
The 34-year-old has been in fine form this Six Nations after making his return to international rugby after a torrid run of injuries in recent years.
According to a report by Wales Online, Pro D2 strugglers Nice are one of the clubs vying for his signature with chairman Jean-Baptiste Aldigé keen to make another splash on the player market.
Outside of a miracle, Nice will be relegated at the end of the season having won just three of their 22 matches so far in the league, leaving them with just 18 points, 23 behind fellow strugglers and relegation-threatened Valence Romans.
They have already signed Fijian centre Waisea Nayacalevu with Wales international Owen Williams lined up too along with former Springboks forward Uzair Cassiem.
Faletau would be a major coup for the French club who want to make a swift return to France’s second division with relegation to the third division a near certainty.
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Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/shock-name-linked-to-wales-job-after-michael-cheika-setback-as-taulupe-faletau-on-the-verge-of-exit
