MUNSTER are believed to be conducting a second round of interviews for the role of head coach that Tony McGahan will vacate at the end of the season.

Reports suggest they have narrowed it to three candidates: forwards coach Anthony Foley, Canterbury’s coach Rod Penney and former All Black captain Tana Umaga.

A Munster spokesperson confirmed the process was on going and denied a story in the Evening Echo that Foley had been given the job. Former Irish international number eight Foley remains favourite for the position and if he is given the role, Umaga would be a better fit on a coaching ticket than Penney as the latter is also a forwards coach.

Umaga had a brief flirtation with coaching in Toulon (2008) but his most recent experience is at a more modest level with Counties Manakau in the Second Division. There is no questioning his ability as a player but in convincing others about his coaching pedigree he’ll have to be pretty persuasive at interview.

The province could opt for a Penney/Umaga axis but that seems unlikely.

– John O’Sullivan