Munster announce shock 'immediate' departure of Graham ...

Munster Rugby and the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) have announced head coach Graham Rowntree will leave the club with immediate effect by mutual consent. 

The former Leicester Tigers and England forward took the reins as head coach in the 2022/2023 campaign and led the province to the United Rugby Championship (URC) title that season.

However, it’s been a tough start to this season for the Limerick-based outfit. They currently sit 12th in the URC and have won just two of their opening six games.

Commenting on the decision, 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.”

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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.”

Rowntree also added: “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.”

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Head of Rugby Operations, Ian Costello, will take charge as interim head coach while the club look for a permanent head coach.

The former England and Harlequins coach initially joined Munster in 2019 and spent three years as forwards coach.

Following Johann van Graan’s departure to Bath, Rowntree was promoted to head coach and guided the province to their first domestic title in 12 years, and also steered them to first place in the league last year before a surprise semi-final defeat to eventual champions Glasgow Warriors.

It’s not been a rosy start to the current campaign. Munster find themselves four points off the play-off spots and a whopping 17 behind bitter rivals Leinster.

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