The South African Super Rugby team Golden Lions have confirmed that their defence coach, JP Ferreira, is in negotiations with Munster about filling the defence coach role.
Former defence coach Jacques Nienaber departed the province alongside Rassie Erasmus last month and it looks like new head coach Johann van Graan is set to recruit another South African to take his place.
Lions CEO Rudolf Straeuli confirmed the news to South African press this week that Ferreira was in discussions with Munster about the possibility of taking the role. Ferreira has been with the Lions since 2007 and was a key figure in their Super Rugby Final appearance last year.
His ability as a defence coach was recognised last season when he was called into the South African set up for the 2016 Autumn Internationals. He signed a contract extension last year until the end of 2018, so a move would require negotiations between both sides.
Munster already have former players Felix Jones and Jerry Flannery in place to take control of backline coaching and forwards coaching respectively. There was a definite improvement in the defensive line-speed and around the fringes of the break-down under Nienaber and Munster will be eager to build on that.
While it was thought that Van Graan would take control of defensive work himself, it now appears he is keen to secure a designated coach for the role.
