Van Graan finds he’s a person of interest to Bath
GLOUCESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 11: Munster Head Coach Johann van Graan looks on prior to the Champions Cup match between Gloucester Rugby and Munster Rugby at Kingsholm Stadium on January 11, 2019 in Gloucester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
ON THE BLIND SIDE
MUNSTER head coach Johann van Graan, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has been linked with a switch to Premiership basement dwellers Bath.
The 41-year-old South African is yet to commit his future to Munster and has been looking at his options.
Van Graan did not have a top-level playing career but is highly rated in coaching circles after starting his career on the technical staff of the Blue Bulls.
He worked as the Springboks forwards coach between 2012 and 2017 when he moved to Cork to replace Rassie Erasmus, who returned to the southern hemisphere.
Bath's coaching staff have been given extra time to turn things around after slumping to the bottom of the table after losing their opening nine games of the season.
It has been suggested that Stuart Hooper and his coaching staff have been given a month to kick-start Bath's season before changes will be made. But they could struggle to bring someone into The Rec mid-season, especially if they decide they want to makea closeseason move for van Graan.
Hooper and head coach Neal Hatley who left Eddie Jones England coaching setup after the 2019 World Cup, are most under threat.
Van Graan has refused to discuss his future since first being asked about a new deal in September, but an offer from Bath would have to be taken seriously.
