Calls to resolve Farrell coaching future

Saracens chief executive Ed Griffiths has called on English Rugby chiefs to bring a quick conclusion to talks over the future of the club's head coach Andy Farrell.

Stuart Lancaster, who was confirmed as England's permanent manager this week after a successful interim spell, wants Farrell to become a full-time member of his back-room team following his impressive contribution during the recent Six Nations tournament.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) have opened negotiations with Saracens over Farrell, who still has two years remaining on his contract with the Premiership champions.

Talks will resume between the two parties on Monday and Griffiths does not want the situation to drag on into next week, with Saracens facing Clermont Auvergne in the European Cup quarter-finals next Sunday.

"We would like to (resolve it) because we don't want any 'Will he? Won't he?' distractions going through the Clermont week," Griffiths said after Saracens' 24-19 defeat to Harlequins at Wembley.

"It is like any kind of discussions. You would like an early settlement but we will see. We will have more discussions this week.

"It is not very complicated to work out what the discussions are about but the default position is that he is the head coach of Saracens. That is the default position if the discussions are not successful."

Griffiths does not foresee a situation where Farrell combines his roles with England and Saracens, as Shaun Edwards did with Wales and Wasps.

"We have previously ruled that out because we think it is difficult to do both jobs. Maybe there was a different set of circumstances with Shaun Edwards," Griffiths said.