Breaking Graham Rowntree departs as head coach of Munster

Munster have confirmed they have parted company with head coach Graham Rowntree following their disappointing start to the season.

The Englishman, who had been under contract until the summer of 2026 leaves just six games into the BKT United Rugby Championship season, following a run of three defeats in a row, the latest of which was a 41-24 defeat to the Sharks in Durban.

In a statement, Munster say head of rugby operations Ian Costello will take over on an interim basis, while they begin the process of appointing a new head coach.

"We would like to thank Graham for his passion and dedication to Munster Rugby over the past five years, and I would like to wish him and his family the very best for the future on behalf of Munster Rugby," Munster rugby CEO Ian Flanagan said.

Rowntree joined Munster as forwards coach in 2019 after the Rugby World Cup, before replacing Johann van Graan as head coach in the summer of 2022.

In his first season in charge, the province were crowned URC champions, ending a run of 12 years without a trophy, while they finished top of the table after the regular season in 2024, before a disappointing semi-final defeat to Glasgow Warriors.

While Rowntree ended their wait for silverware, Munster suffered last-16 exits in the Investec Champions Cup in each of his seasons in charge, losing away to the Sharks and Northampton Saints in consecutive seasons.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here in Munster working with a very talented group of players and coaches," Rowntree said.

"I would like to thank the wider Munster family for all the support they have shown me in my time here but now is the right stage for my family and I to look forward to a new chapter."