New Zealand media originally reported the hire this evening and Munster has now confirmed
Munster Rugby have announced that Clayton McMillan has been appointed as the province’s new Head Coach on a three-year contract.
Originally reported by The New Zealand Herald, McMillan will take up his role in July upon completion of the 2025 Super Rugby season. The New Zealander is joining the province after four successful seasons at the helm with the Chiefs.
McMillan will be a recognisable name to Munster supporters having coached the All Blacks XV in last November’s clash in Limerick. He is currently head coach of the Super Rugby Pacific leading Chiefs, where he coached current Munster stars Alex Nankivell and John Ryan back in 2023.
The former number eight first transitioned into coaching at the back end of his playing career while with the now disbanded Coca-Cola Red Sparks in Japan. He later returned to his old club Bay of Plenty and worked his way through the ranks before taking charge of the Bunnings NPC side back in 2015, while also re-joining the coaching staff of the New Zealand under-20s.
In 2017 he was appointed as head coach of the New Zealand Barbarians ahead of their clash against the British and Irish Lions. Later that year he became head coach of the Maori All Blacks.
In 2021, following the departure of Warren Gatland, the Chiefs named McMillan as the interim head coach for the condensed Super Rugby Aotearoa season. Following a successful campaign where he guided the Waikato franchise all the way to the final, McMillan was named head coach on a full time basis.
The Chiefs were defeated by the Crusaders in the semi-finals of Super Rugby Pacific in 2022. A year later, following the return of star Damian McKenzie and the signing of tighthead prop John Ryan, the Chiefs went one step further to the final of the competition, topping the table with thirteen wins from fourteen games. They were defeated in the final by Scott Robertson’s Crusaders.
The Chiefs returned to the final in 2024 where they were defeated by the Blues and at the time of writing, sit top of the table after just two rounds.
In another shakeup, Head of Rugby Operations Ian Costello has been appointed to the newly-created role of General Manager of Munster Rugby. The new role includes responsibility for the progression of the professional team, players, coaches and performance staff.
Costello will remain as Interim Head Coach until the end of the 2024/25 season while current Attack Coach Mike Prendergast will move up to the role of Senior Coach from July and work closely with McMillan.
The news follows a series of contract renewals recently, as well as the signings of Dan Kelly, Michael Milne, JJ Hanrahan and Lee Barron. The squad are back in URC action on Friday night as they host Edinburgh in Virgin Media Park.
Speaking to Munster Rugby, McMillan said: “I am humbled to be given the opportunity to lead Munster, an iconic club steeped in history.
“Leading the All Blacks XV against Munster last year gave me insight into the immense pride and passion of the club’s players, staff and wider rugby community. It was an incredible atmosphere and left a lasting impression.
“I am excited by the club’s ambition and core values. They align strongly with my own, and I look forward to joining the team in July.