YORK City Knights boss Dave Woods is in the running to take over at Harlequins – but he says his sole focus is on the Knights and winning the Grand Final.

The Quins post has become vacant as their coach, Brian McDermott, is to become assistant to Brian McClennan at Leeds Rhinos next season, and The Press understands that Woods, who has always expressed a desire to coach in Super League, was contacted by the Londoners and asked to send a CV.

However, the Aussie stressed his concentration was only on getting the Knights into the Championship with victory over Oldham in Sunday’s Championship One play-off showdown in Warrington.

When asked about any links to Harlequins, Woods, pictured, said: “That would be nice. I’ve not heard anything and I haven’t spoken to anyone. Coaches and players get linked with different clubs all the time. Sometimes there’s something in it, sometimes there’s not.

“I’ve got a job to do here and it’s 100 miles per hour doing that.”

Woods, 45, was overlooked for Super League in 2006 despite leading Castleford to the National League One title in his first – and only – season in charge at The Jungle. Cas said then that they wanted a more high-profile figure for their return to the top flight.

In his next job, he took wooden spoon contenders Gateshead to the 2008 National League Two title and automatic promotion.

He came to York as director of rugby in April this year, taking over as head coach in June following the departure of James Ratcliffe.

He has since led the Knights to third in the table and into the play-offs final.

Woods said: “I’m the coach at York and I’m happy with the job I’ve got, but I’ve said all along that my ambition is to coach in Super League and I know I’m ready for it.

“If an opportunity came about I would look at it. I feel I should have done it a couple of years ago – and I feel I’m a better coach now than I was then.

“But at the moment I’m involved here. This is my job.”

Asked if winning on Sunday would give him a better chance of fulfilling his ambition, he said: “I think winning a Grand Final makes your CV look better.

“I came to England in 2005 and have won two promotions with two clubs and this would be my third if we win, so I think I’ve done pretty well. I’m not trying to jump the gun at all but I think we can win it.”

Leading points-scorer, Lee Waterman, missed Tuesday’s training session to be at the Co-operative Championships annual awards dinner in Manchester, having been selected in the Championship One Team of the Year.

Injured duo Tom Lineham, who was a nominee for the league’s Young Player of the Year award, and Brett Waller were also there.

However, the rest of the squad trained that night and Woods reported no new injury worries.

He added: “Everyone’s excited but the lads are pretty laid-back.

“Confidence is high – but they’ve got a right to be confident as they’re playing some good footy.”