MUNSTER ARE REPORTEDLY “very keen” to meet one of Rassie Erasmus’s former assistants as the search continues to find the South African’s successor as director of rugby.
Australia’s Daily Telegraph reports that Munster have emerged as a late contender in the race to recruit Western Force head coach Dave Wessels.
But the Irish province are expected to face stern opposition from Super Rugby franchise the Melbourne Rebels.
Wessels, who started his coaching career as Erasmus’s assistant at the Stormers in 2008, was promoted to Force head coach ahead of the 2017 season.
But after a legal battle that went all the way to Australia’s Supreme Court, the Perth outfit were cut from the competition by the Australian Rugby Union at the end of last season, leaving Wessels facing an uncertain future.
Despite the longstanding interest from Melbourne, columnists Iain Payten and Jamie Pandaram report that Munster have offered to fly Wessels to Ireland next week for talks.
“Wessels’ Force troops – many of whom plan to go to Melbourne with him – have been lobbying their mentor to not get on the plane,” the report says.
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