Farrell is assisting with Munster’s defence at the moment

Andy Farrell is set to continue his role as Munster’s defence coach for the next couple of weeks until Jaques Nienaber’s replacement has been appointed, writes Gavin Cummiskey in The Times today.

Farrell has been lending a helping hand to new head coach Johan Van Graan over the last number of weeks, but the South African Super Rugby franchise, the Golden Lions have confirmed in a Facebook post (below) that the Province are in talks with their defence coach JP Ferreira.

https://www.facebook.com/lionsrugbyco/photos/a.158198030912132.39349.151843218214280/1612888685443052/?type=3&theater

Speaking to Cummiskey at Munster’s press briefing on Monday Morning, the Van Graan confirmed Farrell’s involvement in the squad for the next two weeks.

“Andy Farrell will be in for the next two weeks for two days a week. All credit to him for his enthusiasm and what he delivered last week. Fantastic guy, he could be at his home but he is coming over for two weeks.

“And thanks to Joe Schmidt for the helping hand. For the foreseeable future, against foreign opposition, Andy will be part of the coaching team.”

When quizzed on the discussions Munster and Ferreira have been having, the former Springbok’s assistant was coy on the Super Rugby side’s coach but admitted they are actively looking at a few options to fill Nienaber’s boots.

On Ferreira, he added: “I said last week that we are looking to fill the position of defence coach as soon as possible. We have got a few names that we are looking at. As soon as I have got more information we will make an announcement but we are definitely looking to get a defence coach in as soon as possible.”

After their defeat of Ospreys on Saturday in Cork, the two time European champions had some mixed news on the injury front, with young academy prop Liam ‘Boomer’ O’Connor likely to be sidelined for a large period after picking up what looked like a serious knee injury but Jack O’Donoghue and Simon Zebo, who was taken off at half time as a precautionary measure will train with the squad fully this week.

It was around this time last year that Munster, with the permission of the IRFU, drafted in prop Thomas Du Toit and Jaco Taute as injury cover, and when Cummiskey asked the new man about the possibilities of similar signings the 38 year old admitted “Anything is Possible”

“Anything is possible. Our big focus at this point is Leicester at the weekend once we know more about the injuries we have got plans in place. There is constant communication between David and myself and Garrett. I don’t like to comment about any financial things. I don’t want to speak about things I don’t know anything about. It gets handled. I know what I want and at this stage we will wait for confirmation of the injuries and look at our planning ahead.”