Alan Jones gives his blessing to "class act" former Wallaby taking on Bronwyn Bishop

Alan Jones has delivered a blow to Bronwyn Bishop's hopes of holding on to her safe Liberal seat by throwing his support behind a former Wallaby who will contest preselection for Mackellar.

In a letter to Liberal preselectors, obtained by Fairfax Media, the conservative broadcaster recommends Bill Calcraft, a member of the Jones-coached 1984 Grand Slam Wallabies side.

"Let me say bluntly, there could be no better candidate," Jones wrote.

Former Wallaby Bill Calcraft has been warmly endorsed by Alan Jones. Photo: Christopher Pearce
 

Mr Calcraft, who has returned to Australia after a long career in business in Europe, was coached by Jones at Manly Rugby Club before being called up to play for Australia.

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"His contribution to our success was extraordinary. He is a born leader. He has a manly sense of the fitness of things. He is highly regarded by his peer group. He has an incisive mind and an intellect which embraces the detail of matters political and non-political at an international and domestic level," Jones told preselectors in his letter of recommendation.

"In short, this man is a class act, who now offers himself in the service of the Liberal Party in order to give back to his country to which he, himself, has contributed so much. I am more than happy to recommend Bill Calcraft for any position for which he saw himself fit. And I would want it known that mine is a recommendation without reservation."

Radio host Alan Jones is a former supporter of Bronwyn Bishop. Photo: Wolter Peeters
 

Jones' enthusiastic backing for Mr Calcraft will be unwelcome news for Mrs Bishop, with a growing field of candidates expected to have assembled by the close of nominations at 5pm on Friday.

In the past, Mr Jones has been a vocal supporter of Mrs Bishop, including during the mid-90s when there was a push to install her as leader of the Liberal Party over John Hewson.

Mrs Bishop was the first guest on Jones' short-lived Channel Ten chat show in 1994. he introduced her as a "future prime minister of Australia".

Bill Calcraft during his days as a Wallaby.

Last year, Mrs Bishop chose Jones' 2GB breakfast show as her first and only interview after weeks of public outrage over the "choppergate" affair that eventually ended her career as Speaker.

Jones is hugely influential in Liberal circles on the northern beaches. He wrote a similarly-forceful letter to preselectors in Warrringah in 1994 when a 36-year-old Tony Abbott surprised moderate elements of the Liberal Party to gain preselection.

Still angered by Mrs Bishop's decision to support Malcolm Turnbull in September against Mr Abbott, she is also in the sights of the hard right.

As revealed by Fairfax Media on Monday, Walter Villatora, Mr Abbott's campaign manager in Warringah and president of his federal electorate conference, will also contest Mackellar.

Mr Villatora has provided preselectors letters of recommendation from NSW Premier Mike Baird and Mr Abbott.

Among the other likely nominees are Jim Longley, the former state MP for Pittwater and Jason Falinski, a Liberal staffer and member of the dominant left faction of the Liberals.

Amanda Rawnsley, a senior adviser to NSW Family and Community Services Minister Brad Hazzard, former long-time northern beaches policeman David Walton and stockbroker Campbell Welsh are also rumoured to be considering a tilt.

Members of the centre right, the faction backing Ms Bishop, believe she enjoys the overwhelming support of her branches and will survive the challenge.

Mr Calcraft, 56, who had previously said he would put his hand up in Mackellar only if Mrs Bishop retired, is a local to the northern beaches.

He once worked for colourful stockbroker Rene Rivkin, has an "Oxford Blue" like Mr Abbott. He also submitted a personal recommendation from neurosurgeon Charlie Teo, a school friend from Sydney's elite Scots College.