LEWIS ADDRESSES WALES COACHING TEAM ISSUE

In the wake of Mike Ruddock’s resignation as National Coach, and the fact that Scott Johnson’s contract is due to end in April, Lewis has been charged with finalising details on a recruitment plan to assemble the best possible coaching team to take Wales into the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

“As soon as Mike Ruddock informed us that he did not wish to extend his contract as Wales National Coach last month we began to formulate a recruitment plan for our new coaching team,” said Lewis.

“We had been negotiating with Mike for over nine months, while we are in a similar position with Scott. He has told us he wants to stay in Wales, but still has some issues to sort out back home in Australia.

“He has kept us fully informed on a regular basis of what those issues are. While he is currently concentrating on preparing the team for the Six Nations games against Italy and France, we have agreed that we will meet immediately after the championship to thrash out his contractual situation.

“Scott’s current contract ends next month and we would obviously like him to stay – whether that be as Head Coach or in his former capacity as Skills Coach. Due to Mike’s departure the WRU will have to recruit new blood to the national coaching team and that is the issue I am currently addressing with the Board.”

Despite rumours linking Johnson with a three year coaching deal with the Wallabies, the interim Wales Head Coach has moved to put the record straight.

“I have not agreed a contract with the Australian Rugby Union. I have met with their new Head Coach, John Connolly, and I am considering an offer he has made me to join his coaching team,” explained Scott.

“But I have said all along that I would love to remain in Wales if I can resolve some of my personal issues in Australia. I have kept Steve Lewis and the team fully informed of my situation and, in effect, nothing has changed this week from the last few months.

“As soon as I know what is possible in my life I will inform Steve Lewis and the players, but I certainly won’t be conducting any of my business through the media.

“At present, I am concentrating all my efforts on preparing the team for the games against Italy and France and I won’t be allowing anything to get in the way of that.”