Munster Rugby Fires Coach Graham Rowntree After Poor Start
Munster Rugby Fires Coach Graham Rowntree After Poor Start
Munster Rugby fired head coach Graham Rowntree after a challenging start to the URC season, with Ian Costello named interim replacement.
Munster Rugby has announced the departure of head coach Graham Rowntree after a challenging start to the BKT United Rugby Championship season.
Rowntree, who was contracted until 2026, leaves the club just six games into the campaign after three consecutive losses, the latest a 41-24 defeat to the Sharks in Durban, South Africa.
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In an official statement, Munster confirmed that head of rugby operations Ian Costello will step in as interim head coach while the search for Rowntree’s replacement gets underway.
“We would like to thank Graham for his passion and dedication to Munster Rugby over the past five years,” said Munster Rugby CEO Ian Flanagan. “On behalf of Munster Rugby, I wish him and his family all the best in their future endeavors.”
Rowntree’s journey with Munster began in 2019 when he joined as forwards coach following the Rugby World Cup.
In 2022, he succeeded Johann van Graan as head coach.
His first season in charge was a high point; Munster clinched the URC title, breaking a 12-year trophy drought. The team also topped the URC standings in the 2024 regular season but fell short in the semifinals against the Glasgow Warriors, dampening hopes for back-to-back titles.
While Rowntree’s tenure included the much-celebrated URC title, Munster struggled to make a significant impact in the Investec Champions Cup. The team experienced back-to-back last-16 exits, losing to the Sharks in 2023 and Northampton Saints in 2024, which added pressure on the coach’s position.
Reflecting on his time with Munster, Rowntree expressed gratitude toward the club and fans.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here in Munster, working with an exceptional group of players and coaches,” Rowntree said. “The support from the Munster family has been incredible, but now is the right time for my family and me to embrace a new chapter.”
Munster’s management now is focused on finding a successor capable of steering the team back to winning ways as they work to recover from a rocky start to the season.
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