Ward-Smith set to leave Bristol Rugby for Wasps

Assistant coach John Brain looks set to extend his stay at Bristol Rugby beyond the end of the season – but No 8 Dan Ward-Smith could be heading to Wasps on a three-year deal.

Former Worcester boss Brain has agreed a new contract with the club and will be new head coach Paul Hull's right-hand man whether the club remain in the Guinness Premiership or not.

Brain, who took over the running of the club's forwards following the shock departure of the popular Martin Haag in the summer of 2007, has yet to fully win over the Bristol Rugby fans.

But the 48-year-old's coaching remains popular with Bristol's young forwards and, despite former captain Matt Salter being rumoured to be taking a backroom staff role, Hull wants to go into battle next season alongside the former Gloucester second row.

Former Heineken Cup winners Wasps, meanwhile, are expected to confirm Ward-Smith's Bristol departure this week. Wasps, who host Bristol on Sunday, are in the market a back rower with England international James Haskell set to join French outfit Stade Francais next season.

Ward-Smith, who is out of contract at the end of the season, had attracted interest from Bath Rugby and Leicester Tigers, but is rumoured to be house-hunting in London.

He joined Bristol in 2005 from Plymouth Albion and, after a mixed start to playing in the English top flight and despite several injuries, has commanded the No 8 spot at the Memorial Stadium.

Ward-Smith was on the brink of winning an England cap in the 2007 Six Nations Championship, but was struck by a serious knee injury during the 14-8 victory at Northampton Saints.

He was named as runner-up in the PRA Player of the Year voting despite missing the final three months of the season.

He spent the rest of the season rehabbing in Bristol and the close season in Vermont with renowned knee specialist Bill Knowles as he tried to force his way into England's World Cup squad.

Ward-Smith returned to first-team action early in 2007-08 but broke a hand against Harlequins in the Heineken Cup in December 2007, since when he has struggled to recapture the form that took him to the verge of the England call-up.

He has made 79 appearances for Bristol Rugby, 11 of them from the bench.