Callard withdrawal a blow as Leinster search for coach

LEINSTER last night insisted they were within a few days of appointing a successor to Matt Williams after former England full-back Jon Callard turned down the opportunity to coach the province.

In a statement issued after a day of wild speculation, the Leinster Branch denied any appointment for the post had been decided upon, but they did admit Callard had indicated that he was not in a position to take up the job.

"Of the many quality candidates for the head coach position there are three short listed, all eminently suitable," said chairman of the provincial team management committee Brian McLoughlin.