Munster and the IRFU have made a shock announcement that Graham Rowntree has left the club with immediate effect, ending his tenure as head coach by mutual consent.
Rowntree, who took over as head coach from Johann van Graan for the 2022-23 season, led Munster to the Vodacom URC title in his debut campaign.
However, a rocky start to the season has seen the Irish province slump to 12th place in the standings, with only two wins from six games.
After taking over from Van Graan, who left for Bath, Rowntree secured Munster’s first league title in over the decade and took them to the top of the table last season before a shock semi-final exit to Glasgow Warriors.
This season has been far from ideal, as Munster are currently four points from the top-eight playoff spots and trail bitter rivals Leinster by 17 points.
Rowntree’s final two fixtures in charge saw his injury-decimated side suffer heavy defeats to the DHL Stormers in Cape Town (34-19) and the Springbok-loaded Sharks in Durban (41-24).
“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 in me in my time here but now is the right stage for my family and I to look forward to a new chapter.”
Photo: Shaun Roy/Sportsfile via Getty Images
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