Wales hunt Kiwi coaches
The list includes former Chiefs and current Glasgow coach Dave Rennie, former Auckland coach Wayne Pivac and Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd as possibilities.
Rennie, who took over as Glasgow Warriors coach earlier this year, responded to the claims but indicated he has not been involved in any discussions.
And is surprised to be linked to the Wales job.
"There will be plenty of guys keen to take over after Gats, so I am sure that will play out over the next year or so," he told Wales Online.
"I keep saying I’m a young coach but I’m not getting any younger.
"When I came over here I was pretty keen to be involved in the week-to-week stuff because you get a chance to work with a lot of players with regards development and so on,"
"There will be plenty of guys keen to take over after Gats, so I am sure that will play out over the next year or so,"