Warren Gatland is ready to consider an overarching new role in Welsh rugby which could see him in charge for the next TWO World Cups as Wales seek to prise their number one target away from England's clutches.
Wales and England are each considering a short-term swoop for Gatland as they prepare to make decisions on the futures of Wayne Pivac and Eddie Jones in the next 48 hours.
Pivac and Jones are in danger of losing their jobs following a woeful 2022 which has seen Wales win just three games and England five.
Read more: Live updates as Wayne Pivac and Eddie Jones to discover fates with Warren Gatland waiting in wings
WalesOnline understands England have stolen a march in the tug-of-war with Wales over Gatland and are ready to offer an eye-opening salary to lure the three-times Lions coach to Twickenham. Jones is thought to be on £750,000 a year, with Pivac reportedly paid £500,000.
However, we have learned Gatland might be open to a more creative contract which could see him back in Wales through to the 2027 World Cup in a director of rugby capacity.
Gatland could lead the team into battle for the Six Nations and World Cup next year, but then move upstairs in an overseeing role as he tries to groom and bring through younger Welsh coaches.
Former Ospreys boss Steve Tandy, who worked as Gatland's defence guru with the Lions, would be one option to work under Gatland.
We have been told the disagreement over terms has enabled England to leapfrog Wales as they potentially seek their own change this week and are said to have spoken to Gatland.
Pivac and Jones are both subject to reviews in poor autumns for Wales and England. The WRU hierarchy have been busy conducting their own debrief in recent days and are weighing up the best way forward, with the exercise set to be completed by close of play on Tuesday. Do they stick with Pivac, who is currently hanging onto his job by a thread, or do they go in another direction?
The plan has been to secure Gatland as his successor on a short-term deal until the end of the World Cup next autumn, but it might be the WRU need to offer their former coach a contract which also sees him through to the 2027 tournament in Australia in an overseeing capacity.
That would enable him to look at the structures in place, work with the four regions and assess why things have gone wrong. Whereas Scotland have appointed Gregor Townsend, Ronan O'Gara looks an Ireland coach in the making and Steve Borthwick is tipped to boss England, those kind of figures don't appear to be coming through in Wales.
Jones is due to meet England bosses on Monday amid mounting speculation that he, like Pivac, will potentially could go.
Gatland is said to see the merits to each of the jobs. He would inherit an impressive group of players with England and would be of the belief he could turn them into Six Nations title winners and major World Cup contenders. He is ready to give them a different game plan and fresh confidence, which appears to have ebbed away over the last year under Jones.
Despite having debt, the RFU possess enormous financial firepower, are the richest union in world rugby and would be able to tempt Gatland with a huge offer.
However, sources close to Gatland say his real love is Wales, after the way he was feted here by the fans during an 11-year tenure in charge and the success achieved. A deal that would involve revamping the squad, and looking after the best coaches here after the World Cup, is thought to be one that appeals.
Gatland would also be confident of helping Wales to a decent Six Nations finish and to get through a World Cup group containing autumn foes Australia and Georgia, plus Fiji. Once in the knockout stages, he knows anything can happen.
Of course, whether the WRU could afford a full-time director of rugby, as well as a coach post the World Cup, remains to be seen with money tight at the moment and the four regions demanding more.
However, a winning Wales brings the greatest revenue into the game and the WRU know they need to do something significant to help rescue the game here.
They know if Gatland were to be offered and accept the England job, it would leave them in a difficult position. Gatland would command instant dressing room respect and help galvanise the fans again.
Others who have been touted for the role, including current Scotland defence coach Tandy, Gatland's former assistant Rob Howley and former Scarlets chief Brad Mooar, do not possess the same gravitas.
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