UNCERTAINTY continues to surround the future of Rory Duncan with Worcester Warriors refusing to make any further comment on the head coach.

According to reports in South Africa, Duncan withdrew from the race to be the next head coach of Southern Kings.

But the Worcester News understands Warriors’ stance has not altered from the statement issued two weeks ago when the club all but ruled out Duncan being part of their long-term plans.

The South African, who joined Warriors from Cheetahs last summer, remains contracted to the Gallagher Premiership club until the end of the 2019-20 season.

There is a chance Duncan could see out the final year of his deal at Sixways as he is believed to have been at the club throughout pre-season.

But Warriors have given the 42-year-old permission to talk to other clubs.

“The club has put in place a strategic plan for the future of Warriors,” said a club spokesman on July 15.

“We do not envisage Rory Duncan being part of those plans and therefore we have given Rory permission to seek opportunities elsewhere.”

The Worcester News asked Warriors for an update on Duncan’s situation but the club declined to comment further.

Samoa coach Steve Jackson is reportedly the frontrunner for the Kings job with ex-South Africa boss Peter de Villiers and Cheetahs forwards coach Corniel van Zyl also in the mix.

In a statement by Kings released on Tuesday, the Pro14 outfit admitted “only one of the candidates” interviewed, which they did not name, had a World Rugby level three coaching qualification.

But it added that the interview panel ranked the candidates “in terms of their technical capacity for the job”.

“We can confirm that the interviewing panel has sent their scores and rankings to the chairman of the board Loyiso Dotwana who intends to present these recommendations at the next board meeting before a final decision is made,” Kings’ statement read.

“An official announcement will be made at the appropriate time once all contractual negotiations have been completed.”