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.
SIGN UP: Get the latest Welsh rugby news sent straight to your inbox for free with our daily newsletter
WalesOnline understands Gatland is very keen to reunite with his former attack coach Howley who he enjoyed great success working alongside between 2008 and 2019.
But there are those within the Welsh Rugby Union who have opposed Gatland's plans to appoint Howley, who was banned for 18 months for breaching betting rules, meaning the Kiwi may have to look at alternative options. One alternative being considered is former Wales winger Mark Jones, who played under Gatland and was part of the Wales coaching set-up on a temporary basis in 2012 and 2013.
Gatland will be reuniting with his former blindside flanker Thomas who has spent the last three months as a forwards consultant at Ealing Trailfinders having previously coached at Bristol Bears, and Worcester Warriors.
The New Zealander made his first changes last week by dispensing with the services of attack coach Stephen Jones and defence coach Gethin Jenkins with Jonathan Humphreys retaining his position in charge of the forwards.
Read more:
Today's rugby news as Louis Rees-Zammit causing concern amid Christmas delays
What went wrong for Stephen Jones, Wales' big coaching hope caught up in confusion of Pivac's reign
Joe Marler hit with ban for comments about opponent's mum
The 25 best players in Welsh rugby right now as we head towards a massive year in 2023
