Munster's controversial Roger Randle appointment called off

Assistant Coach Roger Randle of the Chiefs. Pic: Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images

Munster’s controversial appointment of Roger Randle as attack coach from next season is off.

The Irish Examiner has received confirmation of the news following a report earlier today and understands that the decision not to proceed with the move has come from the Munster/IRFU side.

One source put it that the situation had become untenable in the current circumstances.

The decision to appoint Randle has caused consternation at the province due to an historic rape accusation against the New Zealander dating back to 1997 when he was a player on tour with the Hurricanes.

The case did not proceed when the complainant dropped charges against him, and Randle always denied the allegation, but the episode caused huge disquiet in circles here when head coach Clayton McMillan decided to bring him on board.

Added to that was the nature of the appointment in the first place with chief executive Ian Flanagan, general manager Ian Costello and McMillan all reportedly deciding on the appointment before consulting with the province’s Professional Games Committee (PGC).

Billy Holland, Killian Keane and Mick O’Driscoll, all former players, resigned from their positions as independent members of the province’s PGC earlier this month as a result of the failure to be consulted in the matter.

More resignations followed when some members of the club’s Commercial Advisory Group (CAG) stepped down from their voluntary positions, and all this at a time when Munster were announcing a need for voluntary redundancies due to financial issues.

The episode has been a needless and embarrassing own goal for Munster and at a crucial time of the year when the senior squad is striving to claim the URC points needed to secure a playoff spot and a place in next season’s Champions Cup competition.

McMillan did front up to the media after the initial appointment when he defended Randle, with whom he worked at the Chiefs, describing him as an “outstanding human”, and he asked supporters to “put their trust” in him.

The reputational damage to the club has been considerable and the fallout, internally and externally, will take time to dissipate. That’s the big picture side to it. 

Zoom in and Munster still have no attack coach confirmed for next season. Mike Prendergast will be at Bath, working alongside Johan van Graan by then.

Mossy Lawler, currently the skills and attack coach, is one possibility to fill the soon-to-be-vacated role.

Munster Rugby have been contacted for comment.