JONO GIBBES has emerged as the favourite to take over at Clermont Auvergne next season despite Richard Cockerill being linked with the job.
Cockerill still has two years left to run on his Edinburgh deal, and was given a hefty pay rise when he was linked with Gibbs' job at La Rochelle two years ago.
The former Leicester Tigers boss and England hooker is highly thoughtof in the Scottish capital and has been touted as a long-term successor to Scotland coach Gregor Townsend.
Blindside sources have indicated that Ronan O'Gara, Gibbs' head coach at La Rochelle, will step into his boss' shoes if he moves on.
BY NEIL FISSLER
