JASON Strange says he is "flattered" to be linked with a coaching role at Newport Gwent Dragons but says he is fully focussed on leading Wales to the World Rugby Under-20s Championship.

The former Ebbw Vale boss is one of the names that have been thrown into the mix to come on board at Rodney Parade following last month's departure of director of rugby Lyn Jones.

Head coach Kingsley Jones is currently holding the reins along with backs coach Shaun Connor and an option would be to promote the former Wales flanker, who has a year left on his contract, while adding to the management team.

His former Ebbw Vale teammate Jason Strange was swiftly linked with a Dragons role after last month's upheaval courtesy of a bright start to his coaching career.

The former fly-half achieved great things with the Steelmen to earn a full-time role with the Welsh Rugby Union and masterminded Wales Under-20s' first ever Grand Slam in the Six Nations earlier this year.

However, Strange says June's tournament in Manchester ensures any thoughts of a regional role are on the back burner.

"At the moment there is a fair bit of speculation around different things but my focus is just the World Cup," said the 42-year-old.

"I've got enough on my plate worrying about that and I've got to put all my effort and time into it – there's going to be a lot of work over the next four to six weeks.

"I am really looking forward to the World Cup; one of the reasons I took this job was for opportunities like this.

"I am really enjoying working with this group and the big thing for me is that I am developing as a coach. That will be the case at the World Cup and I will come back from it with another good experience, which can only be good for me because I've hopefully got a long time coaching ahead.

"It's flattering to be linked with jobs but my focus is very much on the next six weeks and then I'll see what happens off the back of it."

Dragons chief executive Stuart Davies said when confirming Lyn Jones' departure that the board would assess their options at the end of the season.

The Rodney Parade side play their final game at bottom club Zebre on Saturday when they attempt to end a nine-game losing streak in the Guinness Pro12 and avoid a league whitewash on their travels.