Jake White
Former Springbok coach Jake White was being linked as a possible successor to France coach Philippe Saint-Andre.
Saint-Andre, who has won only 15 of 37 Tests in charge of France, will step down after this year’s Rugby World Cup in England and Wales.
According to Britain’s Telegraph, there is no shortage of top coaches eager to replace him, with White and former England coach Clive Woodward believed to be in the running.
Woodward, England’s 2003 World Cup winning mentor, has reportedly been involved in discussions with French bosses and it is alleged as many as 66 names were presented and they have been whittled down to a shortlist of 8.
Others are Toulouse head coach Guy Noves, the strong favourite for the job, and former France captain and current Bordeaux-Begles coach Raphael Ibanez, Grenoble’s Fabrice Landreau, as well as Fabien Galthie, who was replaced by White as Montpellier coach.
White, who led the Springboks to World Cup glory in 2007, has been Montpellier’s coach since late last year.
An official announcement is expected to be made next month.
Sport24)
World Cup-winning former Springbok coach Jake White has put an end to rumours linking him to the soon-to-be-vacant French coaching job.
The South African, White, has extended his contract as “consultant” with Montpellier by 2 years through until June 2017, the Top 14 club announced Wednesday.
White, who coached the Springboks to World Cup glory in 2007, arrived at Montpellier in December to take over from Fabien Galthie.
The club, which currently sit in 8th spot and will miss out on making the Top 6 play-offs for the 1st time since 2010 / 2011, decided to announce the deal to put an end to rumours that White was 1 of the 8 candidates short-listed to succeed Philippe Saint-Andre as France head coach.
White, 52, will have compatriot Shaun Sowerby (forwards) and Australian Scott Wisemantel (backs) as his assistants next season.
(rugby365)