Munster appoint New Zealander Clayton McMillan as head coach
NEW BOSS: Clayton McMillan said coaching an All Blacks XV side against Munster in November gave him an "insight into the immense pride and passion of the club's players, staff and wider rugby community". Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Munster have turned to New Zealand in their search for their next permanent head coach with Chiefs boss Clayton McMillan taking the reins as Graham Rowntree’s successor next season on a three-year contract.
Current attack coach Mike Prendergast, a fellow applicant for the vacancy created by Rowntree’s abrupt departure by mutual consent on October 29, will step up to the role of senior coach under a new team management structure with what the province described as “a more central role in team preparation, strategy, selection and recruitment”.
The reshuffle will also see Ian Costello’s job title changing from head of rugby operations to general manager in time for the 2025-26 season. He will continue as interim head coach until the end of the current season with McMillan set to take up his new position after the Super Rugby 2025 season in July, becoming Munster’s 11th different head coach and the first New Zealander to take charge since Rob Penney spent two years in post from 2012-14.
It will be a surprise appointment to many given the links to potential Rowntree successors were much closer to home, with Prendergast and fellow former Munster player Felix Jones considered the front-runners while McMillan was a 50-1 shot with the bookmakers.
He has been Chiefs head coach since succeeding Warren Gatland in 2021 and the Hamilton-based franchise are early Super Rugby frontrunners this season having won their first two matches. McMillan has led them to three Super Rugby runner-up finishes in his tenure to date, including in 2023 when a side featuring current Munster players Alex Nankivell and John Ryan were narrowly beaten by perennial champions Crusaders.
The former policeman and Bay of Plenty No.8 has taken charge of both the Maori All Blacks and New Zealand’s second-string All Blacks XV, with whom he enjoyed successes over both Ireland A in Dublin in November 2022 (as an assistant coach) and Munster at Thomond Park last November.
“I am humbled to be given the opportunity to lead Munster, an iconic club steeped in history,” McMillan said in a statement released by the Irish province.
“Leading the All Blacks XV against Munster last year gave me insight into the immense pride and passion of the club's players, staff and wider rugby community. It was an incredible atmosphere and left a lasting impression.
“I am excited by the club’s ambition and core values. They align strongly with my own, and I look forward to joining the team in July.
“It has been an absolute privilege to work with the Chiefs and NZ Rugby. I am eternally grateful for the opportunities I have been afforded, and for the support of those I have worked alongside.
“The decision to leave wasn’t easy – I love my job, the people we represent, and what we value as a club. But I take real comfort in knowing the team is in great hands moving forward, with a talented playing group, coaches and staff.
“While I look forward to the challenge at Munster, I am solely focused on giving everything I have to the Chiefs as we build on a promising start, with the goal of being genuine contenders at the business end of the season.”
New Zealand A’s visit to Limerick last November 2 fell just four days after Rowntree’s departure and McMillan steered the Kiwi second string to a 38-24 victory in front of a full house in Limerick.
That was Costello’s first game as interim head coach. It is understood his players were informed of McMillan’s appointment on Wednesday afternoon with the current coaching staff preparing the squad for a return to URC action against Edinburgh in Cork on Friday night.
The incoming head coach will not bring in his own coaching staff with Prendergast, defence coach Denis Leamy and skills coach Mossy Lawler all signing new contracts before Christmas that will keep them in their home province until the summer of 2027. Munster are also in the market for a new forwards coach following Andi Kyriacou’s exit in November following Rowntree’s departure and temporary forward coach consultant Alex Codling set to return full-time to the Ireland women’s team.
As General Manager, Munster said Costello “will oversee high performance rugby at Munster”.
“He will be responsible for developing and leading the strategy for the professional game and player pathway to ensure excellence, alignment and integration across the club. The role includes responsibility for the progression of the professional team, players, coaches and performance staff.”
Costello was involved in McMillan’s recruitment, which was signed off by IRFU performance director David Humphreys, and in addition to speaking of his pride in his forthcoming role said: “In the last four months, we looked at both recruitment of a Head Coach and how we develop an optimal high performance structure to ensure both short-term and long-term success at Munster Rugby.
“The new high performance structure will enable us to develop and maintain systems to deliver consistently excellent performance and sustained success at Munster Rugby.
“Clayton has a wealth of knowledge and experience and a track record of developing young players and we believe that he will be an excellent addition to what is already an outstanding coaching and performance support team.”
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