Munster issue statement defending Roger Randle hiring

Munster have defended their decision to appoint former All Black Roger Randle as their new attack coach, after an internal backlash over historical allegations dating back almost three decades about his private life.

Munster unveiled Randle, 51, as Bath-bound Mike Prendergast’s replacement, to reunite with boss Clayton McMillan, whom he worked under at the Chiefs, on Wednesday and immediately ran into a storm.

The Irish Independent has reported that three Independent members of Munster’s powerful Professional Game Board, former players Billy Holland, Mick O’Driscoll and Killian Keane, have all stepped down because of Randle’s appointment.

Randle, who played in two uncapped games for the All Blacks, joined the Chiefs coaching staff seven years ago, but historical allegations from a tour to Durban, South Africa, with the Hurricanes in 1997 have surfaced since his appointment.

He has always maintained his innocence, and Munster, who were knocked out of the Challenge Cup quarter-final by Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park two weekends ago, have said that they fully carried out due diligence.

There have been calls for McMillan and general manager Ian Costello, who were in charge of the recruitment process, to quit the province, and it threatens to overshadow Saturday night’s United Rugby Championship trip to face Benetton in Treviso.

“Munster Rugby is aware of a historical matter concerning newly appointed coach Roger Randle, from 1997. At the time, no legal process was pursued, and the matter was closed.

“Munster Rugby carried out due diligence during this recruitment process and are satisfied with the appointment, which has been ratified and approved,” said a statement released by the two-time European Cup winners.

Munster will be hoping that their bid to replace Alex Codling, who is poised to become forwards coach at Toulon, will be a lot smoother, with former Hurricanes set-piece guru Jamie Macintosh and Chiefs forwards coach Graham Dewes the favourites.