According to reports in Australia, Munster are 'very keen' on appointing David Wessels as the successor to Rassie Erasmus.
Erasmus joined Munster last year as the province's first ever Director of Rugby but will depart after less than a season-and-a-half in charge to take up a role with South African rugby. He will also take with him highly-rated defence coach Jacques Nienaber.
Melbourne Rebels are said to be close to appointing Wessels as their next head coach. However, the Daily Telegraph reports that Munster are a 'shock new rival' for his signature and 'have offered to fly him to Ireland next week in a bid to do a deal.'
There is a strong link between Wessels and Rassie Erasmus. Both South Africans, Erasmus gave Wessels - who is just 35 - his first coaching job with the Stormers nine years ago.
Most recently, Wessels was the head coach of Super Rugby side Western Force for the 2017 season. However, due to the contraction of the competition from 18 teams to 15 - the one which has seen the Cheetahs and Southern Kings move to Europe - Western Force are no longer a Super Rugby side.
Many Western Force players are said to be keen on moving to Melbourne should Wessels take up the job with the Rebels and have urged him not to consider the Munster offer. At Melbourne, Wessels would replace former Munster head coach Tony McGahan.
Rebels CEO Bade Stephenson told the Daily Telegraph that negotiations between the two parties are 'at the pointy end' and they would have an outcome 'in the next couple of days'.
It was reported last month that Munster would name Felix Jones as interim head coach once Rassie Erasmus leaves in late December. It is unclear when, if he was to be appointed at Munster, Wessels would take up the role.
