Pivac rules out Northampton role

Scarlets head coach Wayne Pivac has ruled himself out of the running to take over at Northampton Saints but would be interested in the Wales job.

Premiership strugglers Northampton sacked director of rugby Jim Mallinder last week and Pivac has been linked with the vacancy at Franklin's Gardens.

Pivac led Scarlets to the Pro12 title last season and, having only signed a new two-year contract in October, the New Zealander said he has no interest in a move to Northampton.

"I have just re-signed with the Scarlets so I am not going anywhere and I haven't spoken with Northampton, I have no intentions of speaking to Northampton," the former police officer said.

"I am loving my work here. The reason why I re-signed for the Scarlets is because I enjoy coming into work every day.

"We have worked hard to create this environment, it is a good environment. Opportunities get presented now and again and you can earn more money as a player or a coach sometimes, but you have got to put a value on enjoying coming to work.

"I feel I am in a privileged position in that I love getting up and coming to work. Sometimes it is hard to jump in the car and go home. That is how much fun we have here.

"It was an easy decision for me to re-sign, I am happy with that and I am committed here for the next couple of years."

Pivac is said to be on the shortlist to succeed Warren Gatland after the 2019 Rugby World Cup and the Scarlets boss confirmed that an international role does appeal to him.

He added: "I was part of preparing Fiji for the World Cup in 2007 and had three years out there and loved every minute of it. It would be nice again one day, but it is all about timing and for me I am still learning as a coach.

"If the opportunity arose in Wales going forward I would certainly look at that very seriously because I consider myself now a part of Welsh rugby. I have been here three and a half years and will be for another couple of years.

"If the opportunity came, yeah, I would probably love it. Obviously, you have got to keep getting results and keep doing well.

"As I say, it is all about timing. At the moment things are going well, but we can't take our foot of the throat here because every other coach is doing the same. It doesn't get any easier."

 

Photo Getty Images. Caption: Scarlets head coach Wayne Pivac