Jonathan Thomas is on the verge of being appointed Wales' new contact skills coach but any return for Rob Howley has hit the rocks.
Former Wales Grand Slam star Thomas is expected to fill the role which has been vacant since Gareth Williams joined the Scarlets last summer.
Warren Gatland arrives back in Wales next week after spending the festive period in New Zealand and he will want to finalise his backroom team as a matter of urgency with the Six Nations barely over a month away.
