Reports emerging from France indicate that Paul O'Connell is about to take his first steps into coaching.

The former Munster captain is in Grenoble this week and will spend his time in South-East France coaching the Top 14 side's forwards.

Paul O'Connell invited by Mike Prendergast for a few days in the Alps https://t.co/9AXrmj2k95 #FCG pic.twitter.com/kAN5KQTaHQ

— FC Grenoble Rugby (@FCGrugby_en) March 26, 2016

Since his forced retirement due to a severe hamstring injury, O'Connell has confirmed an interest in a coaching career, while both his former team-mates and Ireland coach Joe Schmidt have all backed him to be a success if he chooses to make that step.

The news was first reported by French TV station Canal Plus, while familiar faces such as Bernard Jackman and Mike Prendergast are already at the club in a coaching capacity.

It remains unclear whether O'Connell will remain for only "a few days", as the club are claiming on Twitter, or if his stay in the French city will be a more protracted.

Reports from Munster had suggested that O'Connell could be in line to join the backroom team there as director of rugby, but head coach Anthony Foley was tight-lipped on the subject, saying "I don't know to be honest. I haven't asked to have an input, I am more concentrating on the here and now, and making sure that we get results on the weekend. It's something that I talk to the CEO about every now and then but it's not a regular occurrence".