PAUL O\u2019CONNELL SAYS he remains hungry to further his coaching career following a short spell in France with Stade Francais, but the former Ireland second row is in no rush to find a new job.\u00a0<\/p>\n
O\u2019Connell parted ways with Top 14 outfit Stade at the end of last season, having joined Heyneke Meyer\u2019s backroom staff as forwards coach, with his exit leading to speculation over a return to Munster this summer.<\/p>\n
O’Connell in action at Lahinch. Source: PA Wire\/PA Images<\/p>\n
With both Felix Jones and Jerry Flannery departing the southern province, O\u2019Connell was linked with a role on Johann van Graan\u2019s coaching ticket, but the Limerick native today said he had not been approached by Munster.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Speaking at the Irish Open pro-am in Lahinch, where he was playing alongside Andrew \u2018Beef\u2019 Johnston, Shane Byrne and Keith Wood, O\u2019Connell said he isn\u2019t looking for a coaching role at present.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m working at the World Cup with ITV so I\u2019m looking forward to that and I\u2019m going to travel a little bit next year and visit a few clubs,\u201d he told Virgin Media\u2019s Sin\u00e9ad Kissane.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the plan at the moment. We had a fantastic year [at Stade Francais]. It was really enjoyable but it was I suppose a different philosophy to what I was used to in Ireland and I couldn\u2019t bring those together.<\/p>\n
Asked if he retained ambitions to continue coaching, O\u2019Connell added: \u201cI hold a lot of ambition to try it out again. It is something I would like to continue exploring.\u201d<\/p>\n
Following the departures of Jones and Flannery from the Munster coaching staff, O\u2019Connell was asked if a return to Thomond Park was ever a possibility this summer.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not something that would interest me in the short-term,\u201d he added. \u201cI have a great relationship with Munster and really enjoy going to the games with my parents and my kids at the moment. It\u2019s something you have to be very, very prepared for. It\u2019s a big job and a lot of expectation.\u201d<\/p>\n