Munster confirm shock exit of head coach Graham Rowntree

Graham Rowntree has paid the ultimate price for Munster’s poor start to the new season, as the former England prop has parted ways with the Irish province following just two wins in their opening six United Rugby Championship games.

Away defeats at Leinster, Stormers and Sharks in recent weeks left Munster in 12th place in the 16-team tournament and their administrators have acted on their return from South Africa by relieving Rowntree of his position ahead of next Saturday’s friendly fixture in Limerick versus an All Blacks XV.

A statement read: “Munster and the IRFU today [Tuesday] confirm the departure of Graham Rowntree as head coach by mutual agreement.

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“After joining the club in 2019, Rowntree spent three years as forwards coach before being appointed head coach ahead of the 2022/23 season. In his first season as head coach, Rowntree led Munster to the URC title, the club’s first trophy in 12 years, before overseeing a top of the table finish in last season’s URC campaign.

“The change to the senior men’s coaching team is with immediate effect, with head of rugby operations Ian Costello taking over as interim head coach. The recruitment process for a permanent head coach will get underway immediately.”

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

Munster CEO Ian Flanagan said: “We would like to thank Graham for his passion and dedication to Munster 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.

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

Rowntree 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.”