MUNSTER ATTACK COACH Mike Prendergast has confirmed that he has put his name in the hat to take over as the province’s head coach.
Prendergast recently extended his contract with Munster until 2027 in his position as attack coach, but he is hoping for a promotion to the top job.
Former head coach Graham Rowntree left Munster in October, with head of rugby operations Ian Costello stepping up as the interim head coach, but Prendergast was among the early favourites to succeed Rowntree.
Prendergast had two playing spells with his native Munster in the 2000s before moving into coaching with All-Ireland League side Young Munster in 2009.
Prendergast then switched to French rugby, working as an assistant coach with Grenoble, Oyonnax, Stade Français, and Racing 92, earning a strong reputation for his work on the attacking side of the game.
When Rowntree was appointed as Munster’s head coach in 2022, he brought Prendergast back to the province as attack coach.
Prendergast has led an impressive revolution of Munster’s attack in the years since and now believes he is ready to step up as a head coach for the first time in the professional game.
“It is, it is,” said Prendergast today when asked if his hand is up for the Munster job.
“It’s something I would have envisaged in my career. I suppose you start out, you’re learning the ropes and the older I get, and the more environments and different head coaches that you work with, it’s something that gets you thinking a small bit.
“And it did over the last couple of years but whatever decision is made, I’ve signed on for another two years. I love doing the attack and it’s up to the club to make that decision and I’m sure they will. The club have been very forthright that they want to take their time in doing that and make sure it’s the right decision, which we all completely respect.
“But if you’re asking me, yep, my name is in the hat and I’m sure along with a lot of other coaches around the place.”
Meanwhile, Munster have confirmed that tighthead prop Oli Jager and loosehead prop Dave Kilcoyne have returned from injury ahead of Friday’s Champions Cup clash away to Castres.
Jager has returned to full training after overcoming a neck injury, while Kilcoyne is also back after recovering from a long-term ankle issue. Both props are in the selection mix for the Castres game.
However, Munster have ruled out scrum-half Conor Murray due to an elbow injury and second row Jean Kleyn remains sidelined with a neck issue.
Seán O’Brien [leg], Diarmuid Kilgallen [wrist], Jeremy Loughman [hip], Josh Wycherley [neck], Mark Donnelly [ankle], Patrick Campbell [shoulder], Cian Hurley [knee], Edwin Edogbo [Achilles], Roman Salanoa [knee] are all still out of action.
Would be crazy if he gets it. Zero head coach experience and part of the failed management group in recent years, even though it was Rowntree who paid the price. Seems to be more of the jobs for the boys culture we’ve always seen with Munster.
@Aidan Farrell: i dont want him to get the job because he’s really good in his current role. Dont know what you’re talking about with this as an example of ‘jobs for the boys’. He was recruited after demonstrating effectiveness for racing and Munster’s attack was transformed in a season from where it was under Larkham.
@Aidan Farrell: Failed? Lol. Didn’t he win a trophy more recently than Leinster? It’s very disappointing that I had to explain that to u :(
@Aidan Farrell: Few bad games Aidan, there’s a trophy in there too… be patient, I’m sure we can turn that frown upside-down
@Aidan Farrell: BS, how much head coach experience did cullen have before leinster? Heck how much did rowntree have before munster, little to none and he got us a trophy.
@Cian Halley: I think he’s a bit traumatized by the job for the boy Cullen and the 0/3 since the Saffies joined the URC
@Michael Corkery: I have a funny feeling you might be right
@Cian Halley: for all Leo’s faults – and by God there are many – the man is still a European Cup winning coach and domestic league champion.
@Aidan Farrell: so let me get this straight, prendergast can’t coach munster because he’s from munster?, but it’s OK for cullen to coach leinster with even less experience at coaching in general than prendergast? Just because he’s from leinster? Make this make sense please.
@Aidan Farrell: He’s only a figurehead!
@Cian Halley: not what I’m saying at all, Ciano pal.
@Aidan Farrell: won URC and next year top of the league and lost in semi final to eventual winners? Much better than any other Irish province do you not agree?
@Aidan Farrell: the same failed management that won a trophy more recently than our vaunted wealthy neighbours??!!!
@Aidan Farrell: Hey Ray…How much head coach experience did Andy Farrell have before he took over Ireland….none…how much head coach experience did Joe Schmidt have before Leinster…none. How much head coach experience did ROG have before LAR…none….again fact make a fool out of you lol
@Aidan Farrell: my god, you talk some rope.
@anthony davoren: thanks for that you saved me from saying it . Joe was always the assistant prior to the Leinster job .. but sure hey guys who think like Aidan are really the Neil Francis’ of the rugby world
@Aidan Farrell: The current head coaches at some stage were not head coaches before they were appointed to the first head coach position. To get an existing head coach to manage any rugby team, let alone Munster, is going to cost a lot of dough. It’s cheaper to appoint one without that tag.
Hope he gets it, be a busy field given the approach tho!
@Thesaltyurchin: agrée. He has had enough of an impact as attack coach to deserve a go as head coach looking after all areas of the team. I’d like to see a DOR though so that he could concentrate 100% on the coaching though
@Michael Corkery: Interested to see who will go for it, wonder will they reel any whales in! Sticking to the process, ultimately gives them time and keeps everyone on the path.
@Michael Corkery: Ian Costello is the DOR in all but name
@5sZl1dX2: yes, he is currently in a caretaker capacity but it might be a roll that suits both long term. We could do a lot worse.
See if it holds, no better application than a decent rest of season.
@Thesaltyurchin: He seems like the sort of guy who has it in him. It has often worked out to go with a head coach without experience so there’s no reason why it won’t work out. But if he is the man for the job, just give it to him already. The same uncertainty surrounded Rowntree’s appointment and it almost felt like “ah sure I suppose give it to Graham” in the end. If they are holding out for Felix or Lancaster then put him out of his misery. Why string him along? I would be p**sed if it was me.
@Paul Ennis: Dunno I think they’re right to take their time as it’s mid season and a messy one, but both points are true I think. He’s definitely a leader (I’m a little bias, same school).
@Thesaltyurchin: Have heard it might be an alternative to Prendergast.
Has a bang of Rowntree of this. Rowntree nearly pulled his name out of the hat it took that long to back him. If they feel he’s good enough then don’t search and just back him, or else it looks like Eileen Gleeson or keeping Ten Hag.
@James Murphy: My thoughts entirely. Don’t mess with the guy and give him some respect. Either give him the job or tell him he’s not in the running.
At tu Brute?
Rowntree was right all along , a coup
IRFU should go all out to get ROG. Pay him well and give him a good budget for players . He will rally the whole province
No shit Sherlock