Family first: Stephen Larkham to leave Munster at end of season to return to Australia

Munster have been rocked by the news that senior coach Stephen Larkham will depart the province at the end of this season.

Munster head coach Johann van Graan with senior coach Stephen Larkham. Picture: INPHO/Morgan Treacy

Stephen Larkham’s decision to quit Munster Rugby next summer must have felt like a punch to the stomach to his players and fellow coaches given the enthusiasm with which they have spoken about him since his arrival in 2019.

Having joined Munster as a replacement for Felix Jones, Larkham’s status as a World Cup-winning player with Australia and as a coach of proven quality in both Super Rugby with his beloved Brumbies and on the Test stage with the Wallabies had given the Irish province an instant lift after yet another summer of management turmoil.