Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph is being lined up to take over from Eddie Jones as the head coach of the Brave Blossoms, according to reports in Japan.
The Highlanders Super Rugby coach Jamie Joseph. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Japan Times said the Japanese Rugby Union was negotiating with Joseph.
The report said a deal would not be struck in time for it to be approved at Thursday's board of directors meeting, but the JRFU was aiming to have an agreement before the end of the year.
One of the issues being discussed was Joseph's arrangement with the Highlanders - he was under contract with them until after the 2016 Super Rugby season.
Joseph played club rugby in Japan between 1995 and 2000 and also turned out nine times for Japan.
Meanwhile, the JRFU has settled on former All Blacks hooker Mark Hammet to coach Japan's first entry in Super Rugby, the Sunwolves.
The Times said Japan Super Rugby will announce its coaching staff and squad on Monday and was moving to have him signed by that time.
