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Paul Feeney and Kieran Crowley have emerged as early contenders to join the Scarlets’ coaching team for next season.

Parc y Scarlets bosses hope Stephen Jones will succeed Wayne Pivac as head coach, but WalesOnline understands Feeney has already been approached with a view to working with the backs.

Pivac will leave Llanelli to succeed Warren Gatland as Wales boss after the 2019 World Cup.

Jones is the leading contender to follow Pivac and become Wales’ next attack coach despite still being wanted by the Scarlets.

The former fly-half is weighing up his next move, but if he was to take over from Pivac, the Scarlets board believe it is essential he is supported by an experienced back-room team.

That is why they have sounded out Feeney who at 54, is a close friend of Pivac having worked with him at Auckland, North Harbour and Fiji. He is currently Stormers backs coach.

Current Benetton coach Crowley is understood to be among the options the Scarlets are considering should Jones leave for international rugby.

“Behind the scenes I’m slowly working my way through a process of identifying coaches we might look to utilise with Wales moving forwards,” said Pivac, when pressed for the latest on Jones.

“Nothing will be announced until the end of the season, but we are short listing for the coaching positions now and I’m talking with Warren about the planning process.

“Stephen has been very good with the Scarlets. He has been a pleasure to work with.”

Scarlets chiefs understand Wales is an attractive proposition for Jones and with Welsh rugby struggling to produce home grown coaches, they have launched a global search for possible options.

Pivac is playing an active role in the search for his successor and his close friendship with Feeney could yet see him head to west Wales.

The Scarlets are big admirers of Benetton’s Crowley who is understood to be on the shortlist to become their next coach after significantly improving the Italian side’s Guinness PRO14 fortunes.

Any deal for the former Canada coach would have to include a transfer fee with one year left on Crowley’s contract in Italy.

“I’m happy at Benetton, but we are in an industry where you never know what’s around the corner,” said Crowley, when asked about the prospect of becoming the next Scarlets boss.

“There will be a big movement of coaches next year after the World Cup and coaching jobs are all about timing. If it’s the right sort of timing, then I’d look at any job.

“Wayne has done a good job down there and I’m sure the Scarlets will do their due diligence in getting the right man to replace him.”

Pivac is a fan of Crowley and added: “Kieran is doing a great job at Benetton and he’s a great guy. I’m pleased for him because it isn’t an easy job.

“He has really turned that club around and no longer are they the easy beats of the competition.

“Some of the tries they’ve scored against us were great ones and sometimes you find yourself applauding them inside.”