PONTYPOOL backer Bob Jude stood defiant last night - despite coaching target Jon Callard (pictured) describing a potential move to the Welsh First Division promotion hopefuls as "bizarre".

The Argus revealed on Tuesday that the former Bath and England star was wanted alongside Richard Hill to make up a formidable coaching team at Pontypool Park.

Callard has insisted that Pooler have made no contact with him but Jude insists that tentative approaches have already been made to him through Hill and a formal offer is now imminent.

But asked if he would be joining the Torfaen outfit as backs coach, Callard said: "I don't think so."

He added: "It's a bit bizarre. I have not met anyone at the club and there is no meeting. I have nothing more to say."

But Cwmbran-based businessman Jude, the architect of the arrival of former Wales stars Mark Jones and Byron Hayward, said: "They are still very much our first choice targets for back coaches at the club. I do not know why he has said there has been no contact. I have contacted them through Richard Hill and we will be speaking to them both."

Callard has been linked with a succession of clubs - including Bridgend - since his shock sacking from Bath last month. Hill is a close friend of Jude, who took the former England scrum-half to Ebbw Vale as coach.