Poachers.

Munster are reportedly keen on appointing South African David Wessels to replace the outgoing Rassie Erasmus, with the Irish province potentially set to poach him right from underneath the Melbourne Rebels’ nose.

The Australian Super Rugby franchise are said to be very close to appointing him as their next head coach, but The Daily Telegraph are reporting that Munster have stepped in to poach him at the last minute and ‘have offered to fly him to Ireland next week in a bid to do a deal.’

Erasmus will be very familiar with Wessel, having given him his first coaching job with the Stormers nine years ago. The connection between the two could be vital when it comes to negotiating a move to Munster.

Wessels most recently coached the Western Force, who were infamously dropped from Super Rugby. A number of Western Force players are said to be in line to join the Rebels should he take that role, which could be a sticking point as the players will try and convince him to remain in Australia.