Munster and the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) have confirmed that Graham Rowntree has left the club with immediate effect.
In the meantime, Ian Costello will take charge, but they will have to find a permanent replacement for the former England and Leicester striker sooner or later.
There will be plenty of big names on the docket, as we judge the runners and riders in the hunt for the top track at Thomond Park.
Leaders: Felix Jones, Paul O’Connell
Leading the charge are two former Munstermen in the form of Felix Jones and Paul O’Connell.
Current England coach Jones – who is serving his 12-month notice period – made 90 appearances for the province during his playing career. He also started his coaching career in Limerick, joining as a technical coach in 2016 before being appointed backs coach in 2017. Jones left Munster in 2019 to join the Springboks coaching staff under former boss Rassie Erasmus and help them bounce back. back to the World Cups in 2019 and 2023. Jones then took over the mantle of defense coach with England in 2024.
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O’Connell is one of Munster’s most iconic players, making 178 appearances for the province in fourteen years. The Irish legend also moved into coaching after his retirement, joining the Ireland U20 staff as an assistant coach in 2017. In 2018, he was quickly snapped up by Top 14 side Stade Francais and became the forwards coach for the Parisians. In 2021, O’Connell joined Andy Farrell’s coaching group as forwards coach, where he continues to play an important role.
The duo have both excelled at Test level as assistant coaches, and you think giving one of them the top job – a first for both – would have a huge effect on Munster’s season. Importantly, both players have tasted success at Munster, so I would try to get them out of the rut they are in as quickly as possible.
The step from assistant coach to head coach is a big one, but both men will try to make it one day, so why not with Munster here and now?
In the mix: Ian Costello, Mike Prendergast, Noel McNamara
Three names that will also be mixed for Munster boss are Costello, Noel McNamara and Mike Prendergast.
Starting with Costello, he is in pole position out of these selections as he has been given the interim job and could do well to get it permanently if he turns things around. Costello held various positions in Munster’s academy, before a brief spell at Wasps as a defense coach. He initially returned to Limerick as Academy and Pathway Manager and later moved into his current role as Head of Rugby Operations in 2023.
Costello’s involvement in the process and overseeing the entire rugby operation in the province means his fingerprints will be all over the squad anyway, so giving him the head coaching role could be a smart move.
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Another internal option could be Prendergast. The former Munster player had several coaching spells in France before joining Rowntree’s staff as attack coach in 2022. Again, keeping it in-house could be a good option for Munster as Prendergast already knows much of the current squad. His attacking style would also come to the fore and potentially get them spinning in this department.
Finally, Bordeaux attack coach McNamara is also likely to be a candidate for the vacancy at Thomond Park. The Irishman is highly regarded as one of the best emerging coaches in the sport and has played a key role in Bordeaux’s rapid transformation since his arrival at the club. McNamara has also tasted success with Ireland U20, winning a Six Nations Grand Slam in 2019.
All three coaches are certainly potential options and could be smart options.
Outside Betting: Declan Kidney, Johan Ackermann
From some inexperienced coaches to some seriously experienced coaches now, with Declan Kidney and Johan Ackermann also outside the betting for the job.
Former Ireland boss Kidney has been out of the game since the collapse of London Irish, but he could be a valuable asset if he gets the job. His coaching career started with the province in 2004 and between 2005 and 2008 he was head coach, where he guided them to two Heineken Cups. He also won a Grand Slam with Ireland in 2009. Kidney was also influential in turning London Irish into serious play-off contenders in the Premier League during his time.
Ackermann would also be a good fit for the role. The South African would bring a wealth of experience to the fold, having coached in South Africa, England and Japan. However, he has also been linked with a move to the Stormers, so Munster would have to act quickly to land him.
Wishful thinking: Ronan O’Gara
It’s probably the most unlikely appointment possible, but Ronan O’Gara’s Munster connection could be enough to get him as head coach.
The former fly-half made 240 appearances for the province during his playing career and helped win three league titles, one Celtic Cup and two Heineken Cups.
Since his retirement, he has also become one of the best coaches in the sport. After spells at Racing 92 and the Crusaders, he took charge of La Rochelle and helped turn it into one of the best teams in Europe. Under O’Gara they reached three consecutive Champions Cup finals, winning two.
The Irish head coaching role is certainly in his future, and it could be a smart move by the IRFU to bring him back into their system with the Munster gig; but it would take a monumental offer to get him to Thomond Park.
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