Wales caretaker coach Scott Johnson has received an offer from new Wallabies boss John Connolly to work with the Australian national team.

Speculation has been rife for weeks that Johnson, who is in charge of Wales following Grand Slam winner Mike Ruddock's shock exit, will return Down Under following this season's RBS Six Nations Championship.

He also has pressing family issues to contend with in Australia, although Wales remain hopeful he will stay, either as head coach or in his previous role of skills expert.

Connolly is thought to want Johnson and current Bath forwards coach Michael Foley to work with him towards Australia's 2007 World Cup strategy.

"I have not agreed a contract with the Australian Rugby Union," said Johnson.

"I have met with their new head coach John Connolly, and I am considering an offer he has made me to join his coaching team. But I have said all along that I would love to remain in Wales if I can resolve some of my personal issues in Australia.

"At present, I am concentrating all my efforts on preparing the team for the games against Italy and France, and I won't be allowing anything to get in the way of that.