Reds boss Van Graan will turn to O’Connell
JOHANN VAN GRAAN could turn to Paul O’Connell to fill the void left by Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber as he looks to swell his backroom team options. Van Graan was officially unveiled as Munster’s new head coach yesterday at UL, but straight away he identified the need to recruit a defensive coach to replace Nienaber as his top priority. According to the former Springbok assistant coach, he is willing to accept all offers of help that come his way, and confirmed he will employ consultants in an effort to cover every base. Declan Kidney is one former Munster coach that he hopes to learn from, but Van Graan confirmed he has already spoken with O’Connell about the possibility of an increased role for the former Munster and Ireland captain, although they have yet to iron out the details. ‘Most definitely. I briefly spoke to him [O’Connell] at the Racing game and we’ll meet up at some stage in the next few weeks,’ said van Graan. ‘He was one of the world’s best players, played 100 Test matches for Ireland, if I’m not mistaken, and was captain of Munster, so most definitely [he has a role to play].’ It’s four years since Kidney left his role as Ireland head coach and since then he has stepped away from the game and works as director of sport at UCC. But the last man to lead Munster to the Heineken Cup is still highly regarded in the province, and Van Graan is willing to listen to his views. ‘Yes, most definitely. I’ve got
no ego. I’d like to explore every possible avenue, learn as much as I can as quickly as I can. ‘For the first two months I’d like to listen as much as I can and kind of take it from there and decide who might be involved as consultants or not. ‘I wouldn’t like to elaborate on that now but there will definitely be people coming in and out for short bursts. There are some pretty amazing people here in Limerick that I’d also like to get involved at some stage.’ Andy Farrell was due to fill in as defensive coach yesterday and today following his successful November series with Ireland, but Munster will not be able to call on captain Peter O’Mahony this weekend. O’Mahony has been linked with a move away from Munster when his current deal runs out at the end of this season, but Van Graan — who now takes control of Munster’s contract negotiations — says he has been offered an improved deal with ‘added benefits’. ‘We’ll have a conversation in due course. I’d love him to stay with Munster. ‘He’s hugely influential with Ireland and Munster rugby, we know the values he stands for and the way he plays. I think the strength of Irish Rugby is the working relationship between the IRFU and the provinces and that’s something I’ve bought into.’