Stephen Ferris: Graham Rowntree the 'right man for Munster'

Stephen Ferris says that Graham Rowntree is the right man for Munster, with his appointment as Head Coach expected to be confirmed over the coming days.

Johann van Graan is set to take over at Bath in the summer, leaving the position at Thomand Park open for the former English prop who has been working as Forwards Coach with the province since October of 2019.

Ferris was part of the British and Irish Lions touring squad in 2009, with Rowntree working as the scrum coach on that trip to South Africa.

And, speaking on RTÉ's Game On, Ferris said that Rowntree can

"He's a good appointment," said the former Ulster and Ireland flanker.

"I heard during the week that Vern Cotter's name was in the hat. I thought that was a bit of a surprise. He's obviously jumped around a few clubs.

"A lot of the Munster faithful have been wanting Rowntree to take the job. He's the type of fella who will go to local club matches, really get into the local community and going out and watching a lot of young lads play rugby,

"That's really appreciated down in Munster, as it is in all clubs. For me it's the right decision. After a big result at the weekend where I fully expected Exeter to pull away with 15 or 20 points in the bag going over to Thomand Park this week.

"Fair play to Munster. They shut up shop, held out for large parts and it's a really tight one going into this weekend.

"A lot of Munster fans will be happy."

On the southern province's narrow loss to 2020 champions, Ferris added: "I expect Exeter to pitch up in Thomand Park this week with a mentality to win the match.

"But I think Munster at home with a full house are going to be hard to beat."

Moving onto his native province, Ferris said that their victory over Toulouse was impressive, but that