'It's the right time...I'm ready' - Rowntree hungry to get going at Munster helm

Englishman will succeed van Graan this summer and is eager to make his mark. But until then, he insists the South African is very much in charge.

Man in the middle: Munster forwards coach Graham Rowntree talks to players during squad training Tuesday, hours after he'd been named as head coach for next season. Pic: Matt Browne/Sportsfile

Graham Rowntree has declared his readiness to lead Munster into a new era next season after being confirmed as head coach from July 1 but insisted that until then, Johann van Graan remains very much the boss.

The current forwards coach will replace the departing van Graan at the end of the season having signed a two-year deal to become head coach after the South African ends his five-year tenure at the province and joins Bath in the English Premiership.