Graham Rowntree dismisses talk of Peter O'Mahony fallout

Graham Rowntree on Peter O'Mahony's contract, Jean Kleyn's return from injury and Munster's new recruits ahead of the new season.

'GREATER AGREEMENT': Munster legend Peter O'Mahony is sticking around. Pic: James Crombie/Inpho

Graham Rowntree has insisted there was no falling out with former captain Peter O’Mahony last season as they negotiated a final Munster contract for the Ireland Test centurion.

O’Mahony, who turned 35 on Tuesday, signed a one-year deal last April for the upcoming season to play with his home province having been on a central IRFU contract since 2013. 

The back-rower had been undecided on his future beyond this summer following the disappointment of Ireland’s World Cup quarter-final exit last October and there had been speculation that he and the Munster head coach had been at loggerheads during negotiations surrounding a new provincial contract.

Having captained Ireland in South Africa in July, O’Mahony will not be available for Munster selection until October under IRFU player welfare rules but he was front and centre during an open training session in front of media at Thomond Park on Tuesday.

Speaking after that session, Rowntree looked forward to his third season at the Munster helm, beginning this Saturday with a URC opener against derby rivals Connacht. 

Asked if he was a different head coach now than he had been when succeeding Johann van Graan in 2022, he voluntarily brought up the subject of the Rowntree-O’Mahony falling out rumours.

“I’m more experienced, yeah. I’ve been through some things that I hadn’t, with the injury crisis, players retiring, players coming off national contracts, their negotiations.

“What was the word that was used? Innuendos. Innuendos around Peter O’Mahony. It’s not easy.

“And by the way, on that, we didn’t fall out. I didn’t raise my voice once. I raise my voice a lot in various contexts but I’ve never raised my voice in any contract negotiations. It just took a long time. It’s complicated, that scenario was complicated but we got to a greater agreement.” 

Such is the climate in which Munster head coaches are asked to operate. 

NEW COMPETITION: Out-half Jack Crowley during Munster training. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Another rumour which was circulating last season was whether South African World Cup-winning lock Jean Kleyn might not play again following an eye injury sustained in his first game back for Munster against Leinster last November following the World Cup and a subsequent knee surgery. 

On Tuesday, Rowntree was more than happy to welcome his long-serving lock back to the selection mix.

"When we were in South Africa, I was addressing rumours that his injury was a lot worse than we were letting on. We were in Cape Town, we had to address that.

"He's very important to the group, the work he does, the minutes he plays, the numbers he punches on the field, the rucks he hits. 

"He has big ballast in terms of the second row and his game has really come on with Mike (Prendergast, attack coach) coming onboard. His softer skills, that little sweep, his handling. He is good for the group."

“We haven't had him since last November in the Aviva, that was his last game. Delighted to have him around."

Such was Kleyn’s scarcity in red last season, his potential return this Saturday was likened to the feeling of having a new signing while of the actual summer incomers, Rowntree will have former Connacht centre Tom Farrell available to face his old club, as well as fly-half Billy Burns and exciting South African wing Thaakir ‘Tucky’ Abrahams. 

Only back-three addition Diarmuid Kilgallen is sidelined with a leg injury but the Munster boss described the backline quartet’s impact in pre-season as “very good”.

“Billy, I remember speaking to him and saying it would be a crossroads for him. He was 29, could kick on in his career. From what I've seen in training right from the early few days, he pulls people along. He has good communication, he has trained well, he's quick, his little short kicking game suits us. 

"He has got a young family, moved down and thrown himself into the environment, into the club, and the lads like him. He's not been perfect for us in the two outings, no one has yet, but from what I've seen, I expect him to be here a while, if I'm honest with you.

“We got him and I'm delighted we did, some excellent business by the club. It's a year deal but I'd be keen to speak to him soon enough."

Of Abrahams, Rowntree drew a comparison with an England World Cup winner.

ROBINSON-ESQUE: New Munster winger/full-back Thaakir Abrahams. Pic: James Crombie/Inpho

“Wow. Wow. Do you remember Jason Robinson dancing around people? I remember playing against him and training with him, and wow, seeing him up close and the agility he had. Well, I feel the same with ‘Tucky’. That’s his nickname. Thaakir Abrahams, just to see him up close, his agility around the field and his movement. 

"He’s quick, high ball skills and another one the lads have really taken him under their wing.

“He had visa issues, as a lot of South Africans are going to experience very quickly, coming back to the country, but was working away in 38 degrees in Lyon so I don’t think he minded having visa troubles when the rain was lashing here in August!

“And from what I’m seeing early on, I’m excited. It’s that cutting edge, that extra gear, on the end of a pass, that I’m expecting to see wherever we pick him, across the back three.”