Dragons' coaching deal may involve Kidney with Wales

DECLAN KIDNEY could come face-to-face with his former boss Eddie O'Sullivan in next season's Six Nations tournament as an advisor to Wales coach Mike Ruddock.

Although it has been unconfirmed by Kidney, Gwent Dragons (Newport and Ebbw Vale) offered him the coaching role at the club over the weekend and he is understood to have agreed to the terms.

Rumours in Wales suggest Kidney could earn in excess of £70,000 annually (a very conservative offer) to lead the Dragons over a period of at least two years.

But significantly, Kidney would almost certainly by used to help Welsh international rugby as well.

If he takes over at Gwent, former coach Mike Ruddock has pledged to use Kidney's expertise to involve him in the Welsh set-up.

Ruddock, married into an Irish family, believes there should be a hands-across-the border aspect to Six Nations rugby.

"We have seen outside coaches taking charge of teams like ourselves, Scotland and Ireland. It's not always the best, but his contract with the IRFU was not to be renewed beyond the end of June and it's been good to talk with him.

Kidney has kept his cards close to his chest and declined to get involved in discussion. But the fact remains that it now seems certain his future is in Wales.

The former Irish assistant was in Newport on Saturday to watch Gwent take on Cardiff. It was described by the home club as a "familiarisation tour", but there was no response from Kidney.

Newport Chief Executive David Jenkins was more vocal "We have looked at a number of options. The deal isn't done, but Declan Kidney has to be a major contender. His track record as a coach speaks for itself."

Kidney's opposition comes from Leigh Jones, former Wales A coach currently looking after the pack in Newport and David Rees, the current Wales under 19 coach.

Gwent recently responded in a negative fashion to applicants Nick Mallett and Dean Richards, apparently spurred on by club patron Brown, who is said to have more time for Kidney than the others.

He is understood to believe that if the club are to develop into a serious Heineken Cup force, then Kidney is the man to lead them.