Stephen Jones is expected to be confirmed as Wayne Pivac’s right-hand man with Wales on Wednesday as the rest of the post-World Cup regime takes shape.
Jones, who is currently assistant to head coach Pivac at the Scarlets, has been the subject of five months’ of negotiation between the region and the Welsh Rugby Union.
The compensation package between the parties has since been finalised and the appointment of Jones as backs coach is set to be announced along with that of Jonathan Humphreys as forwards coach.
Humphreys, a former Wales and Cardiff captain, has spent the past five years in Scotland since he was let go by the Ospreys.
The new trio will replace Warren Gatland, Rob Howley and Robin McBryde after the World Cup in 10 months’ time with Scarlets defence coach Byron Hayward also wanted by Pivac to replace Shaun Edwards.
The move for Hayward, however, has not been agreed with the Scarlets reluctant to give up their entire coaching team to Wales. Ideally, they would like to retain Hayward to work alongside incoming head coach, New Zealander Brad Mooar.
Jones, 41, has been coaching for five years since retiring as a player – firstly with Wasps and then at the Scarlets who he rejoined in 2015 as backs coach.
Asked recently if he was keen to retain his partnership with Pivac – who was confirmed as Gatland’s successor in July – Jones said: “It would be great to have the opportunity to coach Wales, but we’ll see what happens
“But of course working with the international team would be something very special.”
Pivac, Jones and Humphreys are likely to go onto the WRU payroll in July of next year – three months before they take over the team – in order to make plans for a smooth transition immediately the World Cup is over.
It is believed that will allow them to hit the ground running in time for the 2020 Six Nations that will begin three months after they take over the reins.
