IRFU CEO KEVIN Potts said the union cannot shed any light on the circumstances of Graham Rowntree’s departure from the province in October.
Munster and the IRFU announced that Rowntree had left the province by mutual agreement, although the official statement provided no clarity on why the head coach had exited.
Speaking yesterday, Potts said he was not in a position to clarify why Rowntree left.
“I can’t,” said Potts. “The statement that was issued when Graham departed was the statement and I can’t add any more to that. I’m sure you understand.”
Forwards coach Andi Kyriacou has also since left Munster, with experienced Englishman Alex Codling stepping into that position on an interim basis.
Attack coach Mike Prendergast and defence coach Denis Leamy have had new two-year contracts with Munster confirmed this week, with Leamy ruling himself out of stepping up as the new head coach.
Munster’s head of rugby operations, Ian Costello, continues as the interim head coach as they prepare for a URC clash against the Lions of South Africa in Limerick tomorrow, but he has also ruled himself out of taking on the position permanently.
Prendergast is seen as a strong contender to step up as head coach, although Munster and the IRFU have been assessing external options too.
IRFU performance director David Humphreys is centrally involved in the process of Munster appointing their next head coach and Potts suggested that there should be an update ahead of the New Year when Humphreys is due to address the media.
“David is very involved in that together with the Munster Professional Game Committee and the relevant high performance leads down in Munster,” said Potts.
“So it’s ongoing but by the time David does his briefing in January, there’ll probably be more about that.”
Munster currently sit 12th in the URC after two wins in their opening six games, with Leinster top of the table having notched six wins from six, five of them with try-scoring bonus points.
All Blacks star Jordie Barrett has just joined Leinster to add another top-class player to their ranks, while RG Snyman returns from Springboks duty for tonight’s clash with Ulster, who are seventh in the URC ladder.
Connacht are just above Ulster, having also won three of their six games.
There have been concerns around the three other provinces that Leinster are pulling clear of their local rivals, with their financial power allowing them to bring in Barrett, Snyman, and French tighthead Rabah Slimani this season.
“I guess, at a high level, our provinces are competing to the best of their abilities,” said Potts when asked about worries that the other three provinces are struggling to keep up with Leinster.
“From our perspective, we work with them all the time in terms of their financial and operating models.
“What happens on the performance side, David Humphreys will deal with, but they’re trying to compete in a changing world, with financial constraints in certain provinces and that does have an impact.”
Not really good enough from IRFU, Munster fans deserve more clarity imo
@Conor: it may a personal issue which has nothing to do with fans entitlement
@aidan prior: well that’s the point of my comment. Even if the terms you used above were released in a statement it would end a lot of the rumours and speculation in what was a sad end for a great coach who brought a big trophy home. Was working with a ridiculous injury last two years so would have sympathy for him. Anyways, just my two cents Aidan
@Conor: why is this the IRFU’s fault
@Conor: Why is it the IRFU’s responsibility, not Munsters?
@Conor: What right do we have to demand the reason? Hopefully, it’s not, but it seems more likely to be a personal reason that GR left.
Let’s sit back and see where it goes.
Last time we had change munster, got it right. GR promoted to HC, got leamy back from Leinster and MP back from racing.
@Patrick O’Sullivan: I think Conor is right – fans have right to more information. Was it 1. Performance related or 2. For personal reasons. I think if they said the latter and said they weren’t in a position to divulge further , then people wouldn’t be happy but would accept it. But to say nothing at all is very poor form. It’s the opposite of what usually happens, dans usually want the coach gone long before the powers that be. But Rowntree was popular and for most people was doing a reasonable job with thé ressources he had.
@Michael Corkery: Let’s say it was announced as personal reasons.
There would be loads of different rumours floating around within a couple of hours, GR wouldn’t deserve that.
Why do you need to know right now what happened? Does it really matter?
Gotta move forward, the reasons will come out eventually.
It’s such a bad look for Munster as an organisation that Leamy and Prendergast, who’s the favourite to be the head coach, that he’s been extended as attack coach. They left Rowntree hanging for months while they were searching for a HC, only to go back to him. They need to get this right and such a stance decision to extend guys ahead of the top job being filled. And even if it is MP, extending him not under the title of attack coach just feels so unorganised. Hope they get it right
@billykeenan@rocketmail.com: Rowntree was extended as Forwards Coach before being appointed Head Coach. I wouldn’t worry about how long it takes, I’d be more concerned if they rushed a decision for the sake of if. Assess all options and then make the decision, if Mike is the best option at the end of the process then so be it
@5sZl1dX2: I agree, if MP is the right man for the job, then take ownership of it and appoint him. Don’t extend him as one thing and elevate him to the HC role, it doesn’t show confidence. And why make these announcements now? It just raises more questions about the makeup and direction of the team. Fans don’t need crumbs in November/December, they need a clear roadmap. They bought time buy announcing Costello as the interim boss. Now if MP does get the job fans will wonder who they couldn’t secure, like the FAI job. It’s just not being handled professionally
Kind of strange that they extended the contracts of Prendergast and Leamy, if they haven’t yet bagged themselves a HC. Surely a head coach would like some say on his assistants – he may very well want Prendergast and Leamy as his assistants, but the fact that Munster extended their contracts before making any deal with a HC indicates that these assistants are of such importance to the club, that they override what an incoming HC might want.
@JoeVlogs: they might have threatened to walk and Munster tied them down. Can always fire them if a new HC doesn’t want them etc
The whole process is a shambles, Munster are in complete disarray. Weeks later and still no sign of a head coach.
@Aidan Farrell: you do realise the head coach is appointed by the IRFU? Gimp
Think its odd that GR left in Oct, and they are saying they will have an update in Jan, not saying they will have a replacement then. IRFU have history of usinf temporary HC untill the head coach theycwantvis available if remeber Doak/Kiss at Ulster, which makes me think current arrangement will run to the summer and waiting on Felix Jones
@Kingshu: I don’t see Felix setting shop up on the Ennis Road any time soon – and could you blame him .
I think it’s a internal promotion because that’s all we can afford in theses times
@damien reidy: I could see it. He’s not coming in as an international head coach. Money isn’t everything and you would expect he wants to eventually be head at a top 5/6 international side.
Can’t imagine any wanting him right now after walking away on England other then S.A.
Munster is possibly a good fit for him right now.
Is he ready is another thing, still only 37?
@Patrick O’Sullivan: nothing personal but Prendgast body of work in France was very impressive and his work at munster has been so good .. I would think the progression to Head coach is a good fit .
Felix is very talented but it’s s different game at club level and maybe do a club assistant job first to get the feel for it , it’s been a long time since him and jerry were joint coaches at munster
@damien reidy: I agree, think prendergast would be a good fit, resigning as an attack coach makes me think it’s someone else. If it is the case that munster are looking elsewhere, who would you realistically pick?
Felix I would say is gonna be on that list, very highly thought of your coach who has been part of a back to back rwc winning side. Inexperience as a head but could be worth the risk.
Lancaster, would be a possible target, may not be realistic.
Sounds like the rugby world cup business model is badly broken and causing financial heart ache for the national unions.
Time for the top teams to abandon the comp until this is resolved.
I wonder how the French clubs will react under the socialist model, must be difficult as a team to have an outside dictator tell you what you can and can’t do. Suppose if he’s paying for it then he can do what he likes tho
@Thesaltyurchin: All clubs here in France are independent of the FFR
So it’s not a problem- my club Brive love Sacking a manager mid-season Jeremy
Davidson was shown the door 10 games Into the top14 season now we are in our 2nd season prod2 and 3 mangers in 2 years worked so well