Bester fancies Rotherham return to replace West

The South African – who quit Clifton Lane in 2007 after two years at the helm – is one of five candidates who will meet the club's directors over the next week.

Bester almost steered Rotherham back into the Premiership in 2007 before leaving because he felt he had taken the club as far as he could.

He has not been able to secure a full-time coaching position since and is understood to be keen on a return.

Kevin Maggs, the former Ireland international who has been assisting West this season, is also in the frame.

"The search is going as well as we could have hoped," said Titans chairman Nick Cragg, who revealed the club had received 30 applications.

"We have some good contenders. There were a few unproven people who applied but we have narrowed it down to five and we want a proven coach.

"We have been pleased with the amount of interest that has been shown because this is an important appointment for us. We do not want to make a mistake."

West takes charge of his final game on Saturday at Coventry after more than two years in charge at Clifton Lane.

He has steered the club to another season of second-tier rugby with four wins from five games in the relegation play-offs and Cragg said: "It's pleasing that we've already secured our status for next season. It wasn't pleasing that we were in that position in the first place but it has been vital that we showed good form in the play-offs."

The club hope to make an announcement next week.