'A wise man knows where he is in a career' - Graham Rowntree excited by step into the unknown

After 15 years of an apprenticeship, Graham Rowntree's time has come.

Since retiring from a distinguished playing career in 2007, the former Leicester and England World Cup winner moved straight into coaching, first with the Tigers, before making his way through the ranks; England, British and Irish Lions, Harlequins and Georgia, and finally Munster, where he replaced Jerry Flannery as forwards coach in 2019.

The 51-year-old has spoken previously of how quickly he and his family settled in Limerick, so when head coach Johann van Graan and senior coach Stephen Larkham both announced their impending departures last winter, it still seemed likely that Rowntree would hang around.

Having agreed a contract extension to remain as forwards coach, he soon emerged as the frontrunner to step up into the head coach role, before his promotion to the job was confirmed in April.

Munster's pre-season campaign begins on Friday, with Rowntree's side welcoming Gloucester to Musgrave Park.

And as the day's tick down to his first season as a head coach, he says he's getting used to the demands of the new job.

"It's got its challenges and quite rightly so," Rowntree says of the new role.

"The day's a bit busier, there's a lot more people wanting a piece of your time but I'm loving it so far.

"When I spoke to you guys after being announced, I said the time is right for me. It has to be around who you work with, and that's the player and coaching group, It has to feel right, and a wise man knows where he is in his career. So far, so good, we'll see Friday night!"

His appointment was a popular one with fans, but the coaching ticket he has placed around him has arguably drawn more excitement, bringing Mike Prendergast and Denis Leamy back to their home