Scott Johnson is currently the USA Eagles head coach

Wales great Jonathan Davies has said it would be a "gamble" by the Ospreys to employ ex-Wales caretaker coach Scott Johnson as their new head coach.

USA Eagles coach Johnson is in talks with his employers over his possible take-up of the Ospreys role.

But USA Rugby chief executive Nigel Melville says they will only allow it if Johnson also remains Eagles coach.

"You can't come and coach one of the regions part-time. If that's the case he shouldn't come," Davies said.

"Secondly I think it would be a huge gamble," added former dual-code international Davies, speaking to Scrum V Radio.

"I've spoken to a lot of the players who have been coached by him and I think he's a hypnotist as well I think because they all swear blindly by him!

606: DEBATE Would Scott Johnson be the right choice for the Ospreys?

"It's incredible that a coach can have that effect on individuals, I've been coached by many great players but I'm not sycophantic about any of them. You know I respect them."

So far the Ospreys have refused to either confirm or deny their interest in Johnson, despite Melville being quoted that he had received a written request from the Liberty Stadium outfit.

"It is one of those positions where coming from an assistant to a main job without any experience I think is a big gamble for the Ospreys," Davies said.

"I think: 'What does he bring?' He brings a feel-good factor, he was an analyst when he came over here and I'm not taking anything away from him.

"You know he brings great feel-good factor and he brings the best out of players in the coaching sessions - that's got to be a plus.

"But for me the minuses outweigh the plusses and to become head coach of one of our main regions I think it is a massive, massive gamble."

Johnson was skills coach with Wales under Steve Hansen and Mike Ruddock before leading Wales in three internationals in a caretaker role after Ruddock's shock departure in 2006.

He left to become Australia attack coach, but departed after their poor World Cup showing in 2007.

He took the Eagles head job last year, and he has led them to one win from six matches.

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