THE identity of the new Wales coach is likely to be revealed on Friday by the Welsh Rugby Union.

And it is expected to be a straight shoot-out between Gareth Jenkins and Phil Davies, who are thought to be the only serious candidates on a five-man WRU short-list.

Leeds director of rugby Davies was interviewed last month and Scarlets boss Jenkins was expected to go in front of the board today.

"We will have made a decision by the end of this week," said WRU chief executive Steve Lewis, adding, "How we manage the announcement is something we are currently considering."

But asked if a statement is likely for Friday, Lewis replied: "Yes, it is possible and it is likely. Clear the decks for Friday!"

Ospreys coach Lyn Jones, Wales defence coach Clive Griffiths and Wales Sevens coach David Rees are believed to be the other three candidates for the £180,000-a-year post.

The WRU's five-man panel chosen to lead the search for the new national coach consists of Lewis, chairman David Pickering, high-performance manager Mostyn Richards and board members Alan Jones and Gerald Davies.

They are expected to recommend two names to the full 17-man WRU board, who will be charged with making the final decision via a secret ballot.

Grassroots support is believed to be overwhelmingly in favour of Jenkins. But members of the WRU management board are thought to favour a coaching team with Davies as the head and Rees and Blues coach Dai Young as his assistants.

Wales Sevens and outgoing Newport RFC coach Rees has been touted as a possible skills coach in the set-up.

Meanwhile, Griffiths has had his current contract extended to take in Wales' summer tour of Argentina and could be the caretaker coach for that trip.