Wales are confident that their popular fitness chief Paul Stridgeon will be staying put despite reports linking him with a move to France.
French newspaper Midi Olympique claims that the man affectionately known as 'Bobby' will be joining Les Bleus after the World Cup.
However, a spokesperson for the Wales senior squad confirmed to WalesOnline that Stridgeon will be staying with Wales beyond next year's global showpiece in Japan.
The Englishman speaks French and his family live in Toulon, and he worked for the Stade Felix Mayol side between 2014 and 2017, where he met French rugby chief Bernard Laporte.
But it seem Stridgeon will be staying put on what is believed to be a two-year deal with the option to extend a further two years at the discretion of the Welsh Rugby Union.
Defence coach Shaun Edwards, who is out of contract after the World Cup, is said to be mulling over a four-year contract offer from Les Bleus.
It should be welcome news for incoming Wales boss Wayne Pivac because Stridgeon, who first linked up with Wales on a consultancy basis in 2015, is highly respected, well-liked among the squad and a key member of the management team.
A wise-cracking bundle of energy, Stridgeon provides far more than comedic relief during arduous training camps.
His expertise has been deployed on three British and Irish Lions tours, once as Head of Physical Performance in 2017, and worked with England in the past.
When he signed on permanently with Wales in 2017, Wales boss Warren Gatland labelled him 'one of the very best sports conditioners' and 'a huge asset'.
