YORK Wasps are hoping to be able to name their new coach early next week.

The club have set the task of getting someone in to take the reins as a priority as they seek to put together a new squad for next season and the need to act quickly has been illustrated by the loss of Rich Hayes and Darren Callaghan to Northern Ford Premiership rivals Hull KR.

The Robins snapped up prop Hayes on a one-year deal and half-back Callaghan on a two year contract as both came to the end of their deals with the Huntington Stadium club and Wasps chief executive Ann Garvey was disappointed to have lost the two players.

"Obviously we are disappointed that they have chosen to move as we had asked both of them to discuss new deals with us for next term," said Garvey.

"To be fair Rich had already intimated to me that he would be looking to move on, but it is never easy to accept losing a player of the calibre of Rich who did so well for the club last season.

"However, it is impossible to stand in his way.

"I was very disappointed in Darren's case because we had already discussed a date to meet with him and talk about a new contract with the club."

However, Garvey was confident that the rest of the Wasps squad would be remaining with the club and the board are due to meet with the players tonight to discuss the future of the club - with prior discussions having gone well.

"Obviously getting a coach in place is the priority and a lot rests on that decision in terms of players, backroom staff and even sponsorship and season ticket sales," said Garvey.

"We will be meeting with the players and things seem to be going well on that front, but we really need to have a coach installed.

"We have already got a list of candidates that have been discussed, which includes our current coach Garry Atkins who is very much in the running, and we had another inquiry yesterday that we will be looking at as a board tonight. But we are hoping to be able to announce who is taking the post early next week."