Davies set to stay at Leeds

Phil Davies, the Leeds director of rugby, is ready to snub big-money moves to Bath and Newport and pledge his future to the Premiership basement boys.

The Tykes' 50-17 defeat to Gloucester at Headingley yesterday left them at the foot of the table, saved from relegation only by the midweek ruling which robbed Rotherham of their promotion chance. However, Davies has won admiring glances for the way he has galvanised the top-flight newcomers. He would almost certainly have departed if they had gone down.

But Leeds are eager for the Welshman to stay and Davies is equally willing to extend his current contract, which still has two years to run. Negotiations should begin during the summer as the Tykes look to improve on their first campaign in the top flight.

The decision will be greeted with dismay at Bath, who are believed to have put the former international at the top of their wanted list, and Newport, who just missed out to Llanelli for the Welsh-Scottish League title.

Davies will take a couple of weeks to assess the merits of a season which started well but faded dramatically after the new year, culminating in seven straight defeats.

'We need a cutting edge,' he admitted. Leeds lose the services of retiring Stephen Bachop during the summer.

'When the emotion has died down, we will have a look at the situation but we lack experience in the three-quarters and need a bit more up front.'