Rowntree expects Munster to reveal management team 'soon enough'

Graham Rowntree is expecting news on who will be Munster's next head coach "soon enough".

Current boss Johann van Graan announced his summer departure last December, while assistants Stephen Larkham and JP Ferreira are also out the door at the end of the season.

Among those to have ruled themselves out of the running so far are former players Ronan O'Gara (La Rochelle head coach) and Paul O'Connell (Ireland forwards coach).

Rowntree, the forwards coach of the two-time European champions, signed a deal earlier this year to stay on until June 2024.

Asked if there was any update on the situation, Rowntree first joked that it was a done deal.

"I know exactly what’s going on and who is involved, I’m just not going to tell you," he told RTÉ Sport.

"I’m joking, I’m joking.

"There’s an on-going process as regards the head coach appointment and where that is, I’m not sure.

"I know no more than you, it’s just a process, we wait to hear what’s going on there.

"I’m sorry to get you excited. No, I know of nothing.

"There’s an on-going process and I’m sure we’ll know, one way or another, soon enough. How soon that is, I can’t say."

The former England prop is helping to prepare the team for a United Rugby Championship meeting with Dragons on Saturday before the squad fly out to South Africa for the rescheduled games that fell foul of the pandemic in December.

Munster will have Craig Casey and Gavin Coombes available this weekend after the duo were excused from Ireland’s mini training camp later this week.

"There’ll be more than a few released back to their clubs from Andy’s squad this weekend and it will be to get them game time 'cos Ireland are right in the middle of a crucial campaign," added Rowntree, whose side sit fourth in the URC table with