Dean Ryan, Scotland's forwards coach during the RBS 6 Nations, looks set to perform a remarkable U-turn by returning to full-time coaching, but will not be doing so at Murrayfield.

The former England lock had repeatedly insisted the importance of providing stability for his family meant his return to a tracksuit was for a single campaign only and that after fulfilling his 12-week contract he would be focusing on his work as a television analyst.

However, it emerged yesterday that Ryan is expected to join the Aviva Premiership club Worcester Warriors, replacing Richard Hill, who was sacked as their head coach yesterday.

Notoriously abrasive in his playing days, Ryan repeatedly stated, on being appointed by Scott Johnson, Scotland's caretaker head coach, that his aim was to help the team deliver "bloody noses", something they achieved when beating Ireland in a championship match at Murrayfield for the first time in a dozen years.

However, given that he has now chosen to reverse his stance, it now appears that, doubtless inadvertently, he has reserved the biggest blow of all for those who brought him into the Scotland camp. A spokesman for the Scottish Rugby Union said they were grateful to be invited to pass comment on the news but had none to make.

If confirmed, Ryan's decision will clearly be embarrassing for the Murrayfield hierarchy given the enthusiasm with which Johnson expressed himself on being asked little more than a month ago if he would try to persuade his assistant to stay on with Scotland.

"I think Dean's had a really deep impact on the squad and we'd be silly not to talk to him about that," Johnson said shortly after the team had recorded back-to-back championship wins for the first time since that defeat of Ireland in 2001. "He's a quality coach, a quality bloke, who fits the profile and that's a good thing, so certainly you can only get told no can't you. I've been there a few times in life. It won't stop me asking."

It would seem that the answer he has received has been emphatic.