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Former England fly-half Alex King has emerged as the leading candidate to come on board as Wales attack coach for the Six Nations championship.

The man who was Warren Gatland’s playmaker and Rob Howley’s half-back partner at Wasps is expected to take over from Cardiff Blues backs coach Matt Sherratt, who was involved during the autumn internationals.

Sherratt combined his job at the Blues with working with Wales for the four-Test series against Australia, Argentina, Japan and South Africa.

The agreement was he would be on board for the autumn and the situation would then be reviewed.

It’s understood it was felt continuing with a shared role was impractical and Sherratt stepping down is no reflection on the work he has done with the national team.

Wales now look set to turn to King, who has had coaching stints with Clermont Auvergne and Northampton and is currently available.

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He parted company with the Saints by mutual consent in October and it was revealed the following month that he would be joining French club Montpellier next summer.

King already has a strong link with Wales interim head coach Howley having been a team-mate of his at Wasps under Gatland, with the pair forming a half-back partnership that helped win Heineken Cup and Premiership titles.

After an 11-year career with Wasps, King joined French Top 14 side Clermont in 2007 and finished his playing career there before moving into their coaching ranks.

He joined the Northampton coaching team in 2012 and was touted for a possible role in Eddie Jones’ England set-up at one stage.

It’s understood King will not be involved on Wales’ south seas tour next summer as he will be tied up with his new job as Montpellier backs coach.Robin McBryde will be at the helm for that trip with Gatland and Howley both away on Lions duty.

McBryde’s back-up staff is set to be announced next week.