BBC SPORT | ENGLISH | Bath set to appoint new boss

Bath will appoint their next director of rugby by the end of May.

The Zurich Premiership strugglers have interviewed three candidates and general manager Bob Calleja has said that there is one "clear favourite" for the job.

The post was created following a management overhaul when Jon Callard departed as head coach in early March after a string of poor league results.

Jack Clark, former coach of the USA, was an early contender, but Welshman Phil Davies, currently in charge at Leeds, is also believed to be a front-runner.

Jon Callard left Bath in March after run of poor results
Callard's departure started club overhaul

"Any of the three short-listed people could do the job," said Calleja.

"But there is one clear favourite. It is a very important job, and we would hope to appoint someone within a fortnight of the season ending.

"Of the three people on the short-list, we know who we want."

World Cup winner Michael Foley has taken on the coaching responsibilities at Bath and will continue in that role.

The Australian would not be drawn on potential player targets for next season.

Former Wales hooker Jonathan Humphreys has already signed a two-year contract, while props Sylvain Marconnet and Franck Tournaire are poised to follow him.

No-one associated with Bath rugby wants to be in this position again - it has been a difficult season

Bob Calleja
Bath general manager

Bath have also been linked with a third French international, the 28-year-old Bourgoin centre Stephane Glas.

But Foley says all his efforts are currently focused on Sunday's league finale against Recreation Ground visitors Wasps.

Bath could yet finish bottom of the league, and although relegation appears unlikely with National League One champions Rotherham set to stay in that division, Calleja hopes that some lessons have been learned.

"No-one associated with Bath rugby wants to be in this position again. It has been a difficult season."

Calleja confirmed that any major signings would be followed by some current players leaving the club.

"We spent �1.8m, which is the salary cap, on our squad, so commonsense says that if you bring someone in, then someone has to go."


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