‘West will be next to go, but he won’t resign’

been the performance of the forwards, considering he puts himself up as one of the best forwards coaches in the country.

“His man-management hasn’t been good and he’s quite old-school in the way he thinks. Our back five looks lightweight and we purchased two outstanding young English props in Kieran Brookes and Paul Hill who’ve gone backwards at a rate of knots.

“As forwards coach it’s your job to improve players, but he hasn’t.

“Jim should have made the change long ago, but Dorian will definitely be the next to go. The club will hope he knocks on the door and resigns, but he won’t. They’ll have to sack him too.”

While West continues under interim head coach Alan Dickens, Hunter wants to see an experienced leader brought in for the rest of the season. Longer-term, he believes the club must recruit a big name director of rugby to re-engage despondent fans.

Hunter said: “I would stick with young coaches like Alan Dickens and Phil Dowson, but in the short-term we also need an experienced head, someone like Mike Ford, who will roll up his sleeves, rally everyone and put some fundamentals in place.

“Beyond that, I would look to someone like Heyneke Meyer or Wayne Smith because a big name is needed. It shows intent, especially when you’ve got someone like Dan Biggar coming to the club and are looking to attract other top players to join him.

“I’d love Wayne to come back. He’s a good man-manager who knows every- thing there is to know about the game and who would be superb here.”

Whoever comes in faces a rebuilding job, with Hunter adding: “They need key players in positions like No.8, the middle of the pack and wing.

“We certainly need some heavier forwards and I’d like to see someone like George Kruis from Saracens.” Nick Cain analysis

P24-25