NEWPORT are ready to confirm their new director of rugby within the next five days - and it's likely to be Darryl Jones.

Jones has been widely tipped to take over the post but there have been several other candidates who have been interviewed for the job.

And Phil Davies, the current Leeds director of rugby, former Welsh international lock and back row forward who won 46 caps between 1985 and 1993, is among the possibilities to become the new coach when Ian McIntosh goes back to South Africa.

Davies, who takes his team into a crunch Zurich Premiership basement battle with Harlequins tonight, has been tipped to leave Headingley and has also been touted as the new rugby director at Bath.

However, Newport are believed to have a great interest in the ex-Llanelli forward. Newport's main benefactor Tony Brown has been more than satisfied with the inspirational guidance of McIntosh, but with his imminent retirement talks are on to find a successor.

The club board met earlier this week to discuss the post The feeling is that Newport, mindful of those who criticise them for having too heavy an overseas presence, intend going for a Welsh coach.

There are not that many are available Davies is believed to be among the front runners along with Leigh Jones and Clive Griffiths.

He has been in charge of Leeds for the past six years and guided them to promotion to the Zurich Premiership last year.

When asked what would happen to him should the Tykes be relegated - a real possibility in the next week or so - Davies said only: "We will see what happens at the end of the season."

He added: "It's for the chairman (Paul Caddick) and chief executive (Gary Hetherington) to decide."

Leigh Jones coached Ebbw Vale successfully before taking up a WRU appointment as director of rugby for Gwent, while Griffiths is the Wales defence coach.

There is another issue of more immediate concern tonight as Newport take on Glasgow away in the Welsh-Scottish League.

Should they lose, the Black and Ambers' fall from the top of the league to mid-table would see them on the brink of failing to qualify for next season's Heineken Cup. Meanwhile, Newport also intend stepping-up their Welsh contingent of players with a number coming through the under-21 ranks.

Nathan Brew, Hal Luscombe, James Rowles, Rhys Jones and David Pattison have all signed senior contracts, while lock Luke Charteris is likely to follow.