Ian Costello: 'There's a lot of interest, so we'll take our time and get it right'

NOT RUSHING: Head of Rugby Operations and Interim Head Coach Ian Costello says Munster will take their time in finding new head coach. Picture: ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

As quickly as Graham Rowntree departed the scene, Munster are looking for a replacement head coach to be as equally invested in the Munster way as their predecessor.

Head of Rugby Operations and interim head coach Ian Costello on Thursday insisted that Rowntree’s ability to “get” Munster was a trait he, as a participant in the recruitment process, wanted to see in candidates to succeed him.

That process, contrary to the statement that accompanied the shock announcement last Tuesday that Rowntree had left Munster with immediate effect, had not begun immediately with Costello saying it would not get underway until after this Saturday’s prestigious tour match against the All Blacks XV at Thomond Park.

Costello, who was promoted from his Head of Academy role by Rowntree to his new position in the summer of 2023, said the former Leicester Tiger and England prop would be fondly remembered by management, players and supporters alike.

Absolutely. Obviously you've got the result side of it, the (URC) trophy, (URC) coach of the year, finishing top of the league (in 2023-24) ... But I think it was his presence, wasn't it?

“He was such a figurehead for the organisation, the amount of events that he went to, he spread himself out in terms of supporters' nights, speaking at different events, he was a massive character and I couldn't say enough positive about him personally or professionally.” 

Those qualities are ones necessary for Munster’s ideal candidate to replace Rowntree.

“I have a pretty strong opinion on that,” Costello said. “I think it's really important that we know who we are and what we're about. We have an identity, we have a culture and whoever comes in adds to that, not changes that.

“So I think during our recruitment process we'll be looking for someone that understands us. They might know how to make us better, they might know how to evolve certain things, but someone needs to understand us and what makes us tick.

“That was pretty special about Graham. He would know players at all ages at the club. He'd be at schools games, he'd be at club games, and I think that's really important going forward.

“The balance, then, is always, do you want someone who thinks a little bit differently as well. Like any workforce, any team, you want to have a certain number of homegrown and a certain number of diverse, so the balance of your coaching group is really important as well.

“So they'll be things that we take into account. What I won't have is an answer now, but I just know it's really important that a person comes in, buys into what we are, who we are, what we do and adds to it. And we'll take our time to find the right blend in terms of the fit.

“There's a lot of interest, so we'll take our time and get it right.” 

Nor is there any inclination to rip up the current playbook, particularly with Rowntree’s assistants, primarily attach coach Mike Prendergast remaining in post and the Munster hierarchy apparently keen to retain him and defence coach Denis Leamy beyond their current contracts, which run to the end of the season.

“I think our biggest strength as a club, in my opinion is our integration, our alignment top to bottom at the moment. We made a very conscious decision to go that way a few years ago, and Graham has been a central part of that.

“So no, we'd absolutely be trying to build on to that as we would if Graham was here. It's evolving all the time, and he was a huge supporter of that… Like anything, there will be subtle changes, but this week really is about managing and dealing with what happened, moving towards one game, and we're just kind of fortunate we've got 10 days off, and then we have two and a half weeks before we play a game, which again is a bit unique. We're trying to block that out in stages.”