STEVE Hansen has confirmed he is finishing as Wales coach at the end of this season's Six Nations Championship.

But he does not intend leaving before his contract is up and neither does he intend applying for the New Zealand job which is about to become vacant.

He says his successor should be Welsh but only if there is a suitable candidate.

'The circumstances haven't changed,' Hansen told a press conference today.

'I made the commitment for two- and-a-half years and the whole objective was to try and improve the team and put it in a better shape than when I found it.

'Nothing has changed in my personal circumstances to alter that. I said from day one that I would only do two-and-a-half years, my daughters are around 16 and they need their father to be around and I need to be around them, too.

'It's family against rugby so it's no contest, but at this stage my whole focus is on the Six Nations.

'The coach should be Welsh if there is one good enough, but if not then it shouldn't be.

'There is a lot of hard work to be done and the new coach as got to stand up and follow his convictions, he's got to understand it's not just about today.

'But before then I have got a job to do with the Six Nations and it's a job I want to do and finish.'

Asked if he would be interested in the New Zealand job, Hansen said: 'I have always said I'd love to coach my own country, but walking away from this job would be selling myself and there's still a lot of work to do.

'We should be going in with renewed enthusiasm and a lot of self belief and confidence. It is important we still work hard on our skills, though.

'We've got a great support base in Wales, and they would love to see the side perform well, they don't mind as long as the team gives 100 per cent.

'But the expectations within the team have been raised and their attitude and performance have improved.

'The key is to keep our feet on the floor, we are still a young side and there is a lot left in them yet.

'Things come with confidence and knowing we could have knocked England out of the World Cup will create even more confidence.'