The Bath head coach John Connolly will return to the Recreation Ground for at least the first half of next season after the club's failure to find someone to succeed him.

Connolly had intended to return to his native Australia after working in Europe for the past eight years, but he is prepared to continue as head coach for the whole of next season if required.

Bath failed in their attempts to persuade Alan Gaffney, who is leaving Munster to join the Australian management team, and Ian McGeechan, who opted to become Wasps' director of rugby, to take over from Connolly.

"I will certainly be back for the first half of next season and we will see what unfolds after that," said Connolly. "The club has another few months to look for someone else, but I am happy to come back."

Bath have signed the Western Stormers hooker Pieter Dixon, but the club's failure to reach the play-offs means their England centre Mike Tindall will not have the chance to say farewell to supporters before joining Gloucester next season. Tindall, who is recovering from a foot injury which has sidelined him for the past four months, will not have the chance to prove his fitness to the Lions head coach Sir Clive Woodward.

Woodward said yesterday that he would decide whether to add any of the England trio of Tindall, Jonny Wilkinson and Phil Vickery to the Lions squad for the tour to New Zealand by the end of next week.

"I am fit and ready to play again but Bath do not have any more games left and that looks to be that for me as far as touring with the Lions is concerned," said Tindall. "I am not going to waste time sitting by my phone waiting for Sir Clive to call."

The Wales centre Gavin Henson, who is in the 44-man squad, will not play again this season because of a groin injury which has troubled him since October. The 23-year-old is having a course of cortisone injections and hopes that rest will provide the cure.

"With the Lions tour so close it is a worry," said Henson. "I speak to my physio about the problem every day, but it is difficult and I have to hope that everything comes good."

Harlequins' Wales centre Dafydd James is hoping to return to the principality after the relegation of the London club. The club's board will meet tomorrow to consider the impact of relegation.