REPORTS | Wasps star earmarked for coaching job by RFU - Ruck

REPORTS | Wasps star earmarked for coaching job by RFU

Former Springbok loose-forward Ashley Johnson declined an approach from the Bulls and chose instead to remain at Wasps, according to sport24.

Johnson, who narrowly missed out on a place in the 2011 Springbok World Cup squad, was one of the first players reported to be on new Bulls director of rugby Jake White’s most wanted list.

However, Johnson declined the opportunity because it would cause too much disruption to his family to move back to South Africa.

His only three Test matches came under Peter de Villiers in the 2011 Tri-Nations but he was not considered for the squad to go to New Zealand that year despite being one of the in-form forwards at the time.

The 33-year-old has a year left on his contract with Wasps but has also been earmarked for coaching a job with the English Rugby Football Union (RFU) once he calls time on his playing career. It is unclear at this stage what the specifics of the role might be.


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5. Niki Goneva (Harlequins)

Described by the club as ‘a real coup’ and ‘deadly finisher’ when the winger joined from relegated Newcastle Falcons last summer. However, it appears that the 35-year-old, who has been a prolific try scorer throughout his career, is finally starting to slow down. He didn’t cross the whitewash in his six Premiership outings for Quins this season.

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