Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Clear favourite emerges for Munster job amid Graham Rowntree exit

Head coach Graham Rowntree during Munster rugby squad training at University of Limerick in Limerick. (Photo By Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Mike Prendergast has emerged as the preferred choice to become the next head coach of the troubled Irish province Munster, who parted company with Graham Rowntree earlier this week. Rowntree left Munster after leading them to a fourth defeat in the opening six games of the United Rugby Championship season against the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.

ADVERTISEMENT

On his return, the former England and British and Irish Lions prop was met by IRFU performance director David Humphreys and relieved of his duties as the search for a replacement gets underway.

The IRFU aren’t expected to look far for his replacement with Limerick-born Prendergast, the 47-year-old who became attack coach on a three-year contract when Rowntree became head coach in 2022, set to be offered the job.

Video Spacer

England coach Steve Borthwick on the importance of winning close matches

Steve Borthwick on what he learned from the narrow defeats to New Zealand in the summer.

Video Spacer

England coach Steve Borthwick on the importance of winning close matches

Steve Borthwick on what he learned from the narrow defeats to New Zealand in the summer.

During his playing days, scrum-half Prendergast had two spells at Munster between 2001 and 2006 and then 2008 and 2009 before starting his coaching career in France with Grenoble, Oyonnax, Stade Francais and Racing 92.

Almost as soon as Rowntree began clearing his desk, the Irish rumour mill began working overtime with Ronan O’Gara one of the first names linked and dismissed almost in the same breath.

United Rugby Championship

P
W
L
D
PF
PA
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
Total
1
Leinster
6
6
0
0
29
2
Glasgow
6
4
2
0
23
3
Bulls
5
4
1
0
19
4
Lions
5
4
1
0
18
5
Connacht
6
3
3
0
18
6
Scarlets
6
3
2
1
16
7
Ulster
6
3
3
0
16
8
Cardiff Rugby
6
3
3
0
16
9
Sharks
5
3
2
0
15
10
Edinburgh
6
2
4
0
13
11
Benetton
6
2
3
1
13
12
Munster
6
2
4
0
12
13
Stormers
5
2
3
0
10
14
Ospreys
6
2
4
0
10
15
Dragons RFC
6
1
5
0
7
16
Zebre
6
1
5
0
7

The Munster legend is under contract to the Top 14 giants La Rochelle until 2027. He has already expressed an interest in coaching Ireland with Andy Farrell’s deal running out at the same time, or even France.

Felix Jones was also linked to Munster, but the RFU are determined to make him see out the whole of his 12-month notice period after he tried to quit Steve Borthwick’s coaching set-up following the summer tour of Japan and New Zealand.

ADVERTISEMENT

The only scenario in which Jones, a long-term target for Leinster, will be allowed to take up another job before August is if the Lions come calling, leaving him free to then look for another job after returning from Australia.

Munster’s head of rugby operations, Ian Costello, has been appointed interim head coach and a lack of cash means that, in our understanding, the job is Prendergast’s if he wants it.

Related

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

H
Hellhound 2 hours ago
Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

All you can do is hate on SA. Jealousy makes you nasty and it's never a good look. Those who actually knows rugby is all talking about the depth and standards of the SA players. They don't wear blinders like you. The NH had many years to build the depth and players for multiple competition the SA teams didn't. There will be growing pains. Not least travel issues. The NH teams barely have to travel to play an opponent opposed to the SA teams. That is just one issue. There is many more issues, hence the "growing pains". The CC isn't yet a priority and this is what most people have a problem with. Saying SA is disrespecting that competition which isn't true. SA don't have the funds yet to go big and get the players needed for 3 competitions. It all costs a lot of money. It's over using players and get them injured or prioritising what they can deliver with what are available. To qualify for CC, they need to perform well in the URC, so that is where the main priorities is currently. In time that will change with sponsors coming in fast. They are at a distinct disadvantage currently compared to the rest. Be happy about that, because they already are the best international team. You would have hated it if they kept winning the club competitions like the URC and CC every year too. Don't be such a sourmouth loser. See the complete picture and judge accordingly. There is many factors you aren't even aware of at play that you completely ignore just to sound relevant. Instead of being an positive influence and spread the game and help it grow, we have to read nonsense like this from haters. Just grow up and stop hating on the game. Go watch soccer or something that loves people like you.

129 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ Does the next Wallabies coach have to be an Australian? Does the next Wallabies coach have to be an Australian?
Search