Thu. Oct 31st, 2024

Munster head coach Graham Rowntree departs province

Munsters Graham Rowntree
Rowntree led Munster to the URC title in his first year in charge – the club’s first trophy in 12 years

Munster Rugby and the IRFU have this morning confirmed that head coach Graham Rowntree has left the province by mutual agreement.

After joining the province in 2019 as forwards coach under Johann van Graan, Rowntree was appointed as Head Coach ahead of the 2022/23 season.

His crowning moment with the club came in his first season, beating the Stormers in South Africa to win the URC championship in what was the club’s first trophy in 12 years.

Munster have had a difficult start to the season, winning just two of their first six games. Despite this, the timing of the announcement will come as a surprise to most with the province preparing to host a New Zeland All Blacks XV in a sell-out clash at Thomond Park on Saturday.

Munster have confirmed that the change is with immediate effect, with Head of Rugby Operations Ian Costello taking over as Interim Head Coach. The province have also announced that the recruitment process for a permanent Head Coach will get underway immediately.

Munster Rugby CEO, Ian Flanagan, said: “We would like to thank Graham for his passion and dedication to Munster Rugby over the past five years, and I would like to wish him and his family the very best for the future on behalf of Munster Rugby.”

Flanagan continued: “With the All Blacks XV coming to a sold-out Thomond Park this weekend and a number of big games on the horizon in November and December, our focus will be on continuing to support the coaches and the players for the season ahead.”

Graham Rowntree said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here in Munster working with a very talented group of players and coaches.

“I would like to thank the wider Munster family for all the support they have shown me in my time here but now is the right stage for my family and I to look forward to a new chapter.”