Callard Not Leinster Bound ?

Reports in today’s newspapers that Leinster are about to appoint Jon Callard as their new coach are contradicted by the official Leeds Tykes website.

Reports in today’s newspapers that Leinster are about to appoint Jon Callard as their new coach are contradicted by the official Leeds Tykes website. And while early this afternoon a Leinster source confirmed that they were in negotiations with Callard it seems that the former Bath player is staying put.

According to their official site,
Leeds Tykes have today (Thursday) dismissed rumours linking First Team Coach Jon Callard with the vacant Director of Rugby role at Irish province Leinster.

Speculation had been that Callard had accepted the role with the Dublin-based side however that has now been denied by the club.

“Jon is currently out of contract with the club but we are confident he will be with us for next season. Since the end of the season Jon has been involved with the England U21 set up and is now on a well earned holiday but we expect to sit down and discuss a new contract upon his return,” said Chief Executive Gary Hetherington.

Callard, who joined the Tykes in July 2002, added,

“I am flattered to be linked with the Leinster job but I feel it is too soon in my career to take on such a role. There is still lots for me to learn and develop in my coaching career and the job has not been done here at Leeds yet, hopefully I can be part of seeing that through.”