Rob Howley and former England forwards coach Graham Rowntree could form a new coaching ticket at the Dragons.
It’s believed Wales coach Warren Gatland has been supportive of former England and Lions prop Rowntree’s interest in a role in Welsh rugby.
Rowntree is currently forwards coach with Wales’ World Cup opponents Georgia but has told associates “there could be in opportunity for him in Wales” following the World Cup.
England and Lions coach Graham Rowntree emerges as leading contender to be new Dragons boss
Wales attack coach Howley, who was in caretaker charge when they won the 2013 Six Nations title, is also understood to be on the radar of the Dragons.
Wales defence kingpin Shaun Edwards was the prime candidate, but is in negotiations with the Welsh Rugby Union about staying in his current role under Wayne Pivac.
You can read here about how those talks have stalled.
Gatland’s Wales forwards coach Robin McBryde has almost certainly been ruled out of a role at the Dragons with a deal believed to be near to completion to take him to Champions Cup and Guinness PRO14 kings Leinster as scrum organiser.
Wales coach Robin McBryde 'leading contender' for job with European giants
Interviews have been held for the position of head coach at the WRU-owned Dragons and a decision is expected to be announced before the Judgement Day clash with the Scarlets a week on Saturday.
It could be that Howley and Rowntree, who were with Gatland during Lions tours in 2009, 2013 and 2017, work together again at the struggling Gwent region if they emerge as the preferred options of the Dragons board.
Forwards coach Ceri Jones has been in caretaker charge of Wales’ worst performers since former Ireland hooker Bernard Jackman was sacked last December .
Popular ex-Wales prop Jones had pitched to get the job on a permanent basis but his cause hasn’t been helped by posting only two wins in 13 fixtures in all competitions since he assumed temporary command.
The Dragons have triumphed in just six of their 26 matches in the PRO14 and the European Challenge Cup this season to be Wales’ worst finisher for the 12th time in 16 league championships.
Dragons executive chairman and minority shareholder David Buttress promised to find a “world class” coach after dispensing with Jackman’s services less than 18 months into a three-year deal.
Rowntree has bags of experience as a coach, having spent eight years with England as scrum doctor under Martin Johnson and Stuart Lancaster.
He has also held coaching positions at Leicester and Harlequins in the English Premiership.
But his time with England was tarnished by failures at the 2011 and 2015 World Cups.
It is understood that if the Dragons appoint a coach, or coaches, involved in this year’s World Cup, they hope Jones continues as interim boss until the end of the tournament.
