Wanted man.

Jim Mallinder has emerged has a leading contender for the soon to be vacant Ulster Rugby head coach position, according to a report in The Irish Independent.

The former Northampton Saints boss has been out of work since departing Franklin’s Gardens back in December, after a poor run of results with the English Premiership side.

Ulster are looking for replacements for both Less Kiss who left in February, and Jono Gibbes who will leave the northern province at the end of the season.

New Zealander Glenn Moore was linked with the job over the weekend, while former England coach Andy Robinson and Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards are also thought to be in the running, with interviews taking place this week.