TONY MCGAHAN WON’T allow himself to be distracted ahead of this weekend’s key Magners League tie against Leinster despite increasing speculation that Super 15 side ACT Brumbies would love to take him to Australia.

According to this morning’s Australian, the Munster coach is part of an expanding shortlist which the Canberra side are compiling as they seek to replace Andy Friend who was dismissed at the beginning of March.

McGahan’s coaching ability is held in high regard among Super 15 sides who have been keeping an eye on his success with the Irish province in recent years. The Queensland native joined the Munster set-up as a backs coach in 2005 and was promoted to the his current position as director of rugby following Declan Kidney’s departure to the national team.

His current contract with Munster has a little over a year to run after he agreed an extension with the province in late 2009 which will see him through until the end of the 2012 season.

Reports have suggested that Irish backs coach Alan Gaffney joins McGahan on the Brumbies’ shortlist which also includes South Africa’s World Cup winning coach Jake White and outgoing Bath coach Steve Meehan.

If Gaffney is overlooked for a move down under, it is possible that he could receive an offer to become head coach at Edinburgh. The Scottish outfit are currently seeking a replacement for interim coach Nick Scrivener who announced on Tuesday that he will be leaving the club at the end of the season.