Davies has no illusions - Sport in brief - Evening Standard
       

Davies has no illusions

Wales caretaker coach Nigel Davies admits he is not expecting to be retained by the Welsh Rugby Union after the one-off clash with South Africa on November 24.

With WRU group chief executive Roger Lewis and chairman David Pickering flying to New Zealand to start their recruitment drive for a long-term successor to Gareth Jenkins - sacked after the World Cup defeat to Fiji - Davies is under no illusions about his future.

"I'm realistic that after the seven weeks is up it will be time for me to move on. That's how I see it," said Jenkins' assistant, who was put in charge of a caretaker coaching team of Robin McBryde, Rowland Phillips and Neil Jenkins.

"That's the reality of the situation. I have to consider my future in seven weeks' time but before then we have a massive job to do, not only with the team but preparing information for the new coach to come in.

"Our emotions have to be put to one side in order for us to give our best service for Wales.

"I'm contracted for the next seven weeks. I have nothing to fear. I have nothing to hide."

Davies admitted it was very hard to take over from Jenkins, whom he had worked with as a coach and player for more than a decade.

"It was very difficult to take on the caretaker role because of my relationship with Gareth, who I have a huge amount of respect for. Welsh rugby has lost a great servant," Davies insisted.

"Gareth was quite clear he was not going to resign from his post. He was quite clear that he hadn't done anything wrong and he felt there was a job to do after the World Cup.

"Obviously as things transpired Gareth didn't have that decision to make and the WRU honoured my contract."

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