Graham Rowntree gone: Eight targets Munster could approach to fill the head coach void after shock departure
Ronan O'Gara, Paul O'Connell and Felix Jones are just some of the potential options for Munster boss following Rowntree's departure
Munster and the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) have confirmed Graham Rowntree has left the club with immediate effect.
In the interim, Ian Costello will take charge, however, they will need to find a permanent replacement for the former England and Leicester forward sooner rather than later.
There will be plenty of big names lined up for the role, and we assess the runners and riders in the hunt for the top job at Thomond Park.
Front runners: Felix Jones, Paul O’Connell
Leading the charge are two former Munstermen, in the form of Felix Jones and Paul O’Connell.
Current England coach Jones – who is serving his 12-month notice period – made 90 appearances for the province during his playing career. He also began his coaching career in Limerick, stepping in as a technical coach in 2016, before being named backs coach in 2017. Jones left Munster in 2019 to join the Springboks coaching staff under former boss Rassie Erasmus and helped them win back-to-back World Cups in 2019 and 2023. Jones then took the mantle of defence coach with England in 2024.
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O’Connell is one of Munster’s most iconic players, making 178 appearances for the province across 14 years. The Irish legend also headed into coaching after retiring, joining the Ireland U20s staff as assistant coach in 2017. He was quickly snapped up by Top 14 side Stade Francais in 2018, becoming forwards coach for the Parisians. In 2021, O’Connell joined Andy Farrell’s coaching group as forwards coach, where he continues to play an important role.
The duo have both excelled at Test level as assistant coaches, and you feel giving either of them the top job – a first for both – would have a massive effect on Munster’s season. Importantly, both players have tasted success at Munster, so would look to get them out of this rut they are in as quickly as possible.
The step from assistant coach to head coach is a big one, but both men will look to make it someday, so why not with Munster here and now?
In the mix: Ian Costello, Mike Prendergast, Noel McNamara
Three names who will also be in the mix for Munster boss are Costello, Noel McNamara and Mike Prendergast.
Starting with Costello, he sits in pole position out of these selections, as he has been handed the interim job and could well make a case to be given it permanently if he turns things around. Costello held several roles in Munster’s academy, before a brief spell with Wasps as defence coach. He returned to Limerick initially as Academy and Pathway Manager and later stepped into his current role as Head of Rugby Operations in 2023.
Costello’s involvement in the pathway, as well as overseeing the entire rugby operation at the province means his fingerprints will be throughout the squad anyway, so giving him the head coach role could be a clever move.
Another in-house option could be Prendergast. The former Munster player has enjoyed several spells coaching in France before joining Rowntree’s staff in 2022 as attack coach. Again, keeping it in-house could be a good option for Munster, with Prendergast already knowing a large chunk of the current squad. His attacking style would also come to the fore, and could potentially get them purring in this department.
Lastly, Bordeaux attack coach McNamara will also likely be a candidate for the vacancy at Thomond Park. The Irishman is highly regarded as one of the best up-and-coming coaches in the game, and has played a key role in Bordeaux’s rapid transformation since his arrival at the club. McNamara has also tasted success with Ireland U20, winning a Six Nations Grand Slam in 2019.
All three coaches are certainly potential options and could be shrewd ones at that.
Outside bets: Declan Kidney, Johan Ackermann
From some inexperienced coaches to some seriously experienced ones now, with Declan Kidney and Johan Ackermann also outside bets for the job.
Former Ireland boss Kidney has been out of the game since the collapse of London Irish, but he could be a valuable asset if handed the job. His coaching career began with the province back in 2004, and he has already had a spell as head coach between 2005 and 2008, where he guided them to two Heineken Cups. He has also won a Grand Slam with Ireland in 2009. Kidney was also influential in turning London Irish into serious Premiership play-off contenders in his time.
Ackermann would also be a good fit for the role. The South African would bring a wealth of experience to the fray, having coached in South Africa, England and Japan, however, he is also linked with a move to the Stormers so Munster would need to act quickly to get him in.
Wishful thinking: Ronan O’Gara
It’s probably the most unlikely appointment possible, but Ronan O’Gara’s connection to Munster could be enough of a pull to get him as head coach.
The former fly-half made 240 appearances for the province during his playing career and helped win three league titles, one Celtic Cup and two Heineken Cups.
He has also become one of the best coaches in the game since his retirement. After spells with Racing 92 and the Crusaders, he took the reins of La Rochelle and helped turn them into one of the best teams in Europe. Under O’Gara, they reached three straight Champions Cup finals, winning two.
The Ireland head coaching role is certainly in his future, and it could be a clever move from the IRFU to get him back involved in their system with the Munster gig; but, it would take a monumental offer to get him to Thomond Park.
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