I’ve got my eyes on the PAUL Ace Jacob will climb the ladder
New Munster boss keen to recruit Reds legend O’connell
JOHANN VAN GRAAN could turn to Paul O'connell as he looks to swell Munster's backroom options.
The new Reds boss has straight away identified the need to recruit a defensive coach to replace Jacques Nienaber.
He has already sounded O'connell out about the possibility of an increased role for the former Munster and Ireland captain, although the details have yet to be ironed out.
Van Graan said: “I briefly spoke to him (O'connell) at the Racing game and we'll meet up at some stage in the next few weeks.
“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).”
The South African is determined to learn as much as possible about his new team, and to that end he is hoping to sound out Declan Kidney in the coming weeks.
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 would like to hear his views.
“Yes, most definitely,” he said. “I've got no ego. I'd like to explore every possible avenue, learn as much as I can as quickly as I can.
“You've got two ears and one mouth in life and 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 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.
“(Defence coach) is one of our big focus points. There are one or two names as possibilities but I want to make sure that I get the right person here that will fit in with the way Munster do things.” Meanwhile, van Graan says he will do whatever he can to make sure Peter O'mahony doesn't leave the province.
The Reds skipper has been linked with a move away when his contract runs out at the end of this season, but van Graan said: “We will have a conversation in due course. I haven't spoken to him about his future on one. But as I've stated before, 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. People follow him. If, in any way, I can help him stay with Munster I'll do that.”
Saturday evening's clash with the Ospreys will be van Graan's first game in charge of Munster, but with a key European double header with Leicester Tigers just around the corner, there is little time for him to put his imprint on the team.
Injuries, too, are a big concern at the moment, with the Reds' centre ranks looking bare. Recent Ireland debutant Chris Farrell has been ruled out until the new year with a knee injury picked up against Argentina, and with Jaco Taute out for the rest of the season, fit again Sam Arnold and Rory Scannell are the only fit centres in the squad.
O'mahony, CJ Stander, Conor Murray and Dave Kilcoyne will all be rested this weekend, although Ian Keatley has been cleared to play.
Tyler Bleyendaal has been handed another week off to deal with his neck problems but Simon Zebo could be fit to take on the Welsh outfit after being taken off with a knee problem last weekend.
Dragons Ulster Friday, 7.35pm
v IRISH legend Tommy Bowe says Jacob Stockdale is just getting started at international level.
And the former Lion reckons training week in week out with an explosive Ulster backline has helped Stockdale make a dramatic impact with Ireland.
He said: “Jacob has come into the team and he’s training with the likes of Charles Piutau, Craig Gilroy, myself, Jared (Payne) and Andrew Trimble, all internationals and guys who’ve played at the top level.
“So for him to be able to train with us and learn off the likes of Charles, then the step up to European international rugby makes it easier for him.
“But listen, he’s been the stand-out performer of the autumn internationals in terms of the young guys coming in, and he has so much potential.
“I think he is only showing the start of what he’s got.”
Stockdale has bagged four tries in four games, scoring once against South Africa earlier this month and twice against Argentina last weekend.
Bowe loved his second try, when he peeled away into the corner.
“To have that sort of confidence and be able to back himself to go on the outside and take people on shows the quality he has.”
Stockdale and Iain Henderson won’t be available for Ulster’s Pro14 game away to the Dragons on Friday.
But Rory Best, Stuart Mccloskey and Sean Reidy return from Ireland duty, while Chris Henry is back from injury.