'I'm already speaking to people' - Rowntree sets sights on appointing backroom team

Munster's head coach in-waiting Graham Rowntree says preparations are already under way to recruit his backroom team.

Rowntree was officially confirmed as the province's new head coach this morning, stepping up from his role as forwards coach when Johann van Graan departs for Bath at the end of the season.

With defence coach JP Ferreira following Van Graan to Bath, and senior coach Stephen Larkham returning to Australia, Rowntree is the only member of the senior coaching ticket confirmed for next season.

But the Englishman says he has already begun the process of recruiting his team of assistants, having had to identify candidates to Munster an the IRFU during the interview process.

"I'm already speaking to people, obviously," he said.

"Throughout the process, I've had to have a plan to present. We'll continue that without getting distracted.

"It was a thorough process, all done now, and we can crack on. Not that I was distracted by any means, but it was quite consuming.

"Now we crack on, and crack on with Saturday's game in particular," he added, ahead of Saturday's Heineken Champions Cup last 16 second leg against Exeter at Thomond Park. Munster trail 13-8 on aggregate after defeat last weekend.

The new role will be Rowntree's first as the main man, but the 50-year-old has amassed a wealth of experience as a forwards coach since his retirement from playing 15 years ago.

After a brief spell as an assistant with Leicester he spent eight years as forwards coach with England, notably alongside Stuart Lancaster, Andy Farrell and Mike Catt during their ill-fated 2015 World Cup campaign.

After leaving his role with England, the former prop (54 caps) spent time with with both Harlequins and the Georgian national side, while he was also