PONTYPOOL are on the verge of one of their biggest coups in many a year. Former England internationals Jonathan Callard (pictured) and Richard Hill could be on their way to Pontypool Park as the First Division club's backs coaches.

The Argus exclusively revealed yesterday that the ex-Bath and England stars, who won Grand Slam and Triple Crown titles together, are top of a backs coach shortlist compiled by the promotion hopefuls.

Both already have Gwent connections, Callard being an ex-Newport player and Hill having coached at Ebbw Vale.

Benefactor and club director Bob Jude has confirmed Pontypool have spoken to a number of candidates for the full-time position left vacant when David Manley joined Merthyr.

And though he would not reveal names, he did admit Callard and Hill were his number one choices.

"It would be unfair to name the people we have spoken to, but Richard Hill and Jon Callard are top of the list," Jude confessed.

If either man did join Gwent's 'sleeping giant' it would be a massive shot in the arm. Jude and Hill know each other well, as the Cwmbran-based businessman helped persuade Hill, who masterminded Bath's dominance of English rugby in the eighties and nineties from scrum half, to coach Ebbw Vale three seasons ago.

Callard, linked with the coaching position at Bridgend, is also held in high esteem by Jude and with the pair on board alongside current senior coach Steve Jones, the Torfaen side would boast one of the most formidable set-ups in Welsh rugby.