Speculation is rife after Graham Rowntree's sudden exit as Munster boss with a whole host of former players - including Felix Jones - linked with being his successor.
Rowntree, who joined the province as a forwards coach under Johann van Graan back in 2019, subsequently took the top job in 2022 before leading the club to silverware after a 12-year drought.
That 2023 URC Grand Final success was followed by a table-topping campaign the season after, although Munster could not translate league success into play-off glory in losing a home semi-final to Glasgow Warriors.
It has been a tough campaign as of yet for the two-time Heineken Cup winners, losing to perennial URC struggles Zebre Parma before being beaten by Leinster, the Stormers and the Sharks.
Rowntree's departure came as a major surprise in spite of the fact his side had claimed just two wins from six matches; they had endured similarly slow starts the previous two years under his watch.
30 March 2024; Munster head coach Graham Rowntree before the United Rugby Championship match between Munster and Cardiff at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Nevertheless, there is no shortage of names touted for the top job in Limerick. Ronan O'Gara and Paul O'Connell are among those being linked with a return to their former club.
Another ex-player on that list is Jones, who had coached at the province in the past before leaving in tandem with Jerry Flannery in 2019.
Jones, who is still just 37-years-old, subsequently joined Rassie Erasmus' coaching ticket for South Africa's 2019 Rugby World Cup win before staying on-board for their successful title defence in 2023.
23 September 2023; South Africa assistant coach Felix Jones signals to the pitch during the 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Ireland at Stade de France in Paris, France. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
He then joined up with Steve Borthwick's England set-up, although he opted to depart that role after just eight months in the job.
Jones has high stock, with ex-Ireland star and prominent pundit Bernard Jackman recently telling the RTÉ Rugby Podcast that he would be a 'great choice' for Munster going forward.
Donal Lenihan makes interesting Felix Jones and Joe Schmidt comparison
One question-mark regarding Jones' credentials remains the fact that he has not yet worked as a head coach in his young but fruitful career on the sidelines.
Writing in his column for the Irish Examiner, Munster legend Donal Lenihan alluded to as much although he cited the case of Joe Schmidt as to why it should not be a concern.
Schmidt, who steered Leinster and Ireland to unprecedented glory during the 2010s, had only held assistant roles with Bay Of Plenty, Auckland Blues and Clermont before he was poached for the top job at Leinster.
He would win the Heinken Cup in his first season - the first of a plethora of titles before achieving similar success as Ireland manager.
The only caveat here is that he has never operated as a head coach," Lenihan began.
"Remember, Joe Schmidt was never a head coach before Leinster plucked him from Clermont Auvergne and he didn’t work out too badly.
"A potential obstacle revolves around the fact that Munster may be required to buy him out of the remaining months of his contract with the RFU. If so, I think it would be money well spent."
It has been widely reported that Jones has been instructed by the RFU to serve the rest of his 12-month contract, meaning Munster would have to pay compensation if they were to lure him from England between now and August of 2025.
It has been reported elsewhere that Munster attack coach Mike Prendergast is set to be offered the head coach role, although it is unclear whether it would be until the end of the season or beyond.
