France eye overseas trio for top job post World Cup

With Jacques Brunel struggling to produce results since taking over as the France head coach, FFR rugby boss Bernard Laporte has reportedly drawn up a list of three potential candidates, all from outside of France, to succeed Brunel after the Rugby World Cup in Japan.

According to Midi Olympique, Laporte has identified Wales' head coach Warren Gatland as his first choice to take over from Brunel while former All Blacks coach and current England defence coach John Mitchell is also on his shortlist. 

The final candidate on Laporte's list is former World Cup-winning England head coach Sir Clive Woodward. 

Gatland has been linked to the England head coach role as well as the All Blacks job following the World Cup but has expressed his desire to return to New Zealand after the World Cup and potentially work in Super Rugby. 

John Mitchell was brought into Eddie Jones' coaching staff at the end of 2018 after just one full season with the Bulls in South Africa while Woodward hasn't held a major coaching role since leading the Lions in 2005.

France has a long list of former French Internationals that have coached the national team and yet to have an overseas coach take the head coach role of the national side. 

The list reported by Midi Olympique is a strong indication that France will have an overseas coach taking over after the World Cup.

The paper also reported that Ronan O'Gara's appointment as the temporary defence coach will be announced in the coming days while Fabien Galthie will meet with Jacques Brunel to discuss his role before his appointment is confirmed.