Johnson's two-year contract with Wales is about to end

Australian Johnson has stated that ideally he would stay with Wales to work with new coach Mike Ruddock.

But a serious family illness in Australia may dictate that Johnson must seek employment back home.

Johnson has worked with Wallabies coach Eddie Jones before with the Australia 'A' side.

The Wallabies have lost forwards coach Ewen McKenzie, who took over at the New South Wales Waratahs, while backs coach Glen Ella joined John Kirwan's coaching team in Italy.

The Wales team boasts the best set of backs in the northern hemisphere by a country mile Scott Johnson

Johnson and former Wallabies prop Andrew Blades, currently a member of Newcastle's coaching team, are believed to be the preferred candidates to fill the roles.

Johnson, who has won many admirers over his two-year spell with Wales, has been linked with several top jobs in recent weeks.

And BBC Wales Sport understands the Australian has turned down an offer to take the vacant director of rugby post at Leicester, because his loyalty is still with Wales.

"I have had a number of meetings with the new Wales head coach and all rugby issues have been resolved," Johnson said.

"I know it would be great to work with him, and I remain hopeful that it will be possible for me to do so.

"There is still plenty of growth left in a Wales team which, I think, boasts the best set of backs in the northern hemisphere by a country mile."

Ruddock, who takes over from out-going Wales coach Steve Hansen on 1 May, hopes to have the rest of his backroom staff in place by the middle of next week.

Former Wales defensive coach Clive Griffiths, who currently assists Ruddock at the Dragons, is expected to be brought back into the fold.

Ruddock's first game in charge will be against the Barbarians on 26 May in Bristol's Ashton Gate.