Munster stalwart Jerry Holland dies aged 66

Former Munster and Ireland lock Jerry Holland has died at the age of 66, the province confirmed in a statement this afternoon.

"It is with great sadness that Munster Rugby have learned of the passing of Jerry Holland after illness," the Munster statement read.

"A legend of rugby in Munster, Jerry excelled as a player, coach, team manager and administrator."

From Cork, Holland was a Munster stalwart, representing the club as a player, coach and later manager.

At international level, Holland earned three caps for Ireland between 1981 and 1986, featuring in both tests in the South African tour of 1981, later lining out against Wales in the '86 Five Nations. Late in his playing career, Holland would tog for Leinster, having moved to Dublin and the famous Wanderers club.

After retiring as a player, Holland later served as Munster coach from 1994 and 1997, winning two inter-provincial championships - breaking Ulster's stranglehold on the competition in the process - and leading them into the Heineken Cup for the first time in 1995.

Holland, a manager of a building society in Cork, opted not to apply for a full-time director of coaching role at Munster in 1997 and was replaced by Declan Kidney, though he continued to assist with the preparation of the first team.

However, he subsequently returned as manager of the province in the summer of 2000, following a stint as Ireland A coach.

He remained in the role throughout a glorious era for Munster Rugby, working alongside coaches Declan Kidney and Alan Gaffney, as the province claimed two memorable Heineken Cup triumphs in 2006 and 2008.

Everyone at #IrishRugby is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jerry Holland. Our thoughts are with Jerry's family and friends, and all of our