 Kingsley Jones has formerly coached Sale and Doncaster |
Former Sale Sharks director of rugby Kingsley Jones will take charge of Russia for four to five weeks and could coach them at the World Cup. The ex-Wales captain, who left Sale this month after nearly seven years, is currently in South Africa helping the Bulls build ahead of the Super 15. Jones has been linked with rejoining ex-Sale boss Philippe Saint-Andre at Toulon and with the Dragons coach job. "If I'm honest I fancy the opportunity of going to Toulon," Jones said. "Working with Philippe on the Mediterranean it's got a lot of positives. French rugby is absolutely fantastic at the moment, big crowds, arguably some of the best players in the world in that league. "Philippe and I are very good mates, we've discussed little bits maybe of working with him again at some point but there's no offer on the table as such from Toulon yet. "I'm not sure I'd want to jump in there at the moment anyway... I am genuinely sitting back at the moment." Newport Gwent Dragons have recently parted company with head coach Paul Turner, with assistant coach Darren Edwards being asked to take over until the end of the season. Former Ebbw Vale RFC favourite Jones says it is natural that there has been speculation he could take over at Rodney Parade.  | I'd certainly be interested in anything in Wales |
"Being totally honest it's something that's driven by the fact that I'm from Gwent, put two and two together and make 10," added Jones, speaking on BBC Wales' Scrum V Radio programme. "I've said that possibly I could come back to Wales and people have automatically made that connection [with the Dragons]. It's sad for Paul. "I would be interested in going to the Dragons but they've got Darren Edwards there who's been appointed until the end of the season, I've heard a lot of good things about him. "It's not something I'm really looking at but I'd certainly be interested in anything in Wales." While he weighs up his options, Jones will finish his stint in South Africa before heading to Russia. Russia are currently in the middle of their 2011 European Nations Cup campaign, sometimes called the second-tier Six Nations, where they face Romania, Georgia, Ukraine, Portugal and Spain. "They unfortunately lost last time out against Portugal and they're quite keen to get someone involved as soon as possible," Jones said. "They play Romania a week next Saturday, I'll be travelling out there to try and help them... it's a bit of a challenge, the last game is Georgia who are a reasonable side. "It's a chance to experience a different culture and hopefully I can help them in that period. "At the end of March I'll sit down, I haven't committed to the World Cup with them. I still want to look at what other options are out there." After qualifying for next September's World Cup in New Zealand, Russia have been drawn in Pool C alongside Australia, Ireland, Italy and the United States.
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