Declan Kidney has refused to be drawn into rumours that he may make a return to Munster next season when current head coach Johann van Graan departs.
Kidney is the current director of rugby at London Irish, a position he has held since 2018, and is amongst the favourites to take on the impending vacant position at his home province.
The 62-year-old Cork man was in charge of Munster for their Heineken Cup successes in 2006 and 2008 but remained tight-lipped when asked about a potential third stint with his home province.
“Look, jobs like that and positions like that, there is always going to be speculation,” Kidney said.
“I’m very happy here in London Irish and I really enjoy working with the lads.
“I have too much respect for my present job, too much respect for Munster, for the IRFU, to be getting into any hypothetical conversation.”
Munster’s clash with arch-rivals Leinster has been postponed on St. Stephen’s Day due to the worsening coronavirus situation in the Leinster camp.