Johnson to decide this week on coaching job

The Wales coach, Scott Johnson, will make a decision on his future in the next week, according to the new Australia coach, John Connolly.

Connolly has offered his compatriot - who took charge of Wales after Mike Ruddock's unexpected resignation on 14 February - a place on his coaching team and the two held fresh talks last week.

Johnson, who is committed to Wales until the end of the Six Nations Championship, has indicated a desire to stay where he is if family concerns allow.

"Scott is mulling over which way to go," Connolly said yesterday.

"We have had a couple of good chats. I was in England last Monday and we had another chat. They went very well.

"He is still to make a decision, but I would think in the next week or so we will know where we stand. We have indicated our keenness for what type of coaching team we would like to put together.

"It's always difficult when your country calls. That's a fairly strong tug on the heart strings."

- INDEPENDENT