Ian Costello takes himself out of running for permanent Munster job

The former Nottingham head coach said he was not interested in moving away from current full-time role overseeing the long-term strategy of his province’s professional pathways and systems

Munster academy coach Ian Costello

Ian Costello has ruled himself out of becoming Munster’s next permanent head coach but the Head of Rugby Operations is prepared to serve in interim charge for as long as it takes to find the right candidate to succeed Graham Rowntree.

Costello on Thursday named his team to face the All Blacks XV in Saturday’s sold-out tour match at Thomond Park, Munster’s first fixture since the shock announcement last Tuesday morning that Rowntree had left his post with immediate effect just six games into his third season as head coach.