It’s been a tough few years for Munster Rugby supporters as the southern province haven’t seen silverware since 2009 when they last won the Celtic League against Leinster at Thomond Park Stadium. Johann van Graan announced after five years as head coach of the province that he will not be renewing his contract and instead will be heading to Bath rugby in England.
The question everyone is asking now is, who do Munster go for now as their head coach? Some of the names being linked with the job are Paul O’Connell, Ronan O’Gara, Mike Prendergast, Scott Robertson and Declan Kindney. There was some good news for Munster fans this week as Graham Rowntree announced that he would be staying on as forwards coach. That’s definitely a plus for Munster as the former Leicester Tigers prop is highly rated.
It’s been nearly ten years now since Munster have had one of their own as the head coach and that was the much missed Anthony Foley. Is it time Munster to go refuel casino and give the job to someone that knows the club inside out and will build something not just with the senior team but improve rugby all around the province.
Ronan O’Gara and Paul O’Connell have ruled themselves out of the the head job Mike Prendergast and Scott Robertson would be a dream partnership for a lot of Munster supporters. Two young coaches that have done a great job with the Crusaders and Racing 92 respectfully. But what about Declan Kidney?
London Irish are currently seventh in the Gallagher Premiership in England and are looking pretty solid and the squad and culture the Cork man has build with the London club has been something special. A lot of people might say why go backwards in the form of Declan Kidney.
Declan Kidney was the Munster Rugby coach for two stints three and five years and in that time he led the Red province to finals, semi-finals in Europe and finally to win the Heineken Cup twice in 2006 and 2008. He built a team a squad and grew the game around the province. Is it really going backwards when you consider the experience the Cork man has built up over the years and the job he has done in the past with Munster? Scott Robertson might be a more attractive name for a lot of people but if you really think about it. We have to get Declan Kidney back!