Aviva Premiership
Exiles closing in on forwards coach
ESPN Staff
May 17, 2012
England backs coach Brian Smith looks on during the RBS Six Nations match between Italy and England at Stadio Flaminio, Rome, February 14, 2010
Brian Smith has narrowed down the candidates for forwards coach to just two © Getty Images
Enlarge
Related Links
Players/Officials: Glenn Delaney | Martin Haag | Brian Smith | John Wells
Tournaments/Tours: Aviva Premiership

London Irish director of rugby Brian Smith will decide on his new forwards coach by the end of the week but has revealed that John Wells is not on the shortlist.

The Exiles bid farewell to backs coach Mike Catt, head coach Toby Booth, academy boss Neal Hatley and defence coach Justin Bishop at the end of the season leaving Smith with a sizeable void to fill. Wales coach Shaun Edwards will work one day a week with the Exiles but Smith is still searching after a forwards coach.

He will meet the two candidates tonight and will draw on senior players' input to help deem who is the correct man to boss the forwards next term. Smith will make a decision on Friday with Nottingham director of rugby Glenn Delaney and former Bath coach Martin Haag rumoured to be in the frame. But when asked whether either of them were in London Irish's sights, Smith responded: "I can't confirm that either of them is on the shortlist."

But one man who is definitely not on the shortlist is former England coach Wells. "I haven't spoken to Wellsy about the position," Smith told getbracknell.co.uk. "My understanding is that Wellsy is staying on at Newcastle with Dean Richards. He's done a good job up at Newcastle and Dean will want to keep him."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices