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.
Having been to quite a lot of Ireland matches over the 10 years and listened to the ref’s mike over the earphones I’m pretty certain that if O’Connell is on the pitch he’ll still be the loudest and most verbose individual around the ruck. The man’s a natural leader.
Good luck to Doug Howlett nonetheless. And my above comment was meant to include my opinion that O’Connell will still be a leader for Munster, despite relinquishing the captain’s role.
Great night tonight! London Irish came with a full squad and controlled the match for much of the time – Looking forward to a good season in the Aviva Premiership!!!