Martin Haag to leave Bath at end of the season

BATH have confirmed that forwards coach Martin Haag will join Sir Ian McGeechan in leaving the club at the end of the season.

It was announced last week that McGeechan, 65, would leave his role as rugby director in the summer once his contract expires.

The West Country club have now revealed that former England lock Haag will not be offered a new contract when his own deal expires.

Bath chief executive Nick Blofeld said: “Haagy has great knowledge of Bath’s history and traditions and has been an asset to us for the past three seasons. We’d like to thank him for all his efforts during his time here with us and wish him well for the future.”

The club also confirmed that skills coach Brad Davis will remain at The Rec, while it is understood that South African Gary Gold and Australian Michael Cheika are the two leading contenders to become the new head coach of the 1998 European champions.

Gold is currently in charge of Premiership relegation favourites Newcastle, but will leave at the season’s end, while Cheika guided Leinster to Heineken Cup glory in 2009.

Cheika also led his current club Stade Francais to the final of last season’s Amlin Challenge Cup, and they have reached the last four of this season’s tournament.