Reports circulating this afternoon suggest that Paul O'Connell is about to make his first foray into the realm of coaching.
French TV station Canal Plus are reporting that O'Connell has flown to France to spend a week coaching the forwards at Gren-, sorry, Bernard Jackman's Grenoble. The news was first reported by the Jour De Rugby show on Canal Plus:
The tweet translates roughly as "Paul O'Connell is spending a week as a freelance member of the Grenoble staff to coach the forwards". Should O'Connell become a permanent member of staff at the club, it may force the Irish media to re-evaluate their calling of the club Bernard Jackman's Grenoble. Such is O'Connell's standing, he may take ownership of the club from an Irish point of view.
Since his retirement, O'Connell has confirmed an interest in a coaching career and has been linked with the vacant Director of Rugby role at Munster.
More to follow.
