Breaking: Munster appoint New Zealander Avan Lee as interim CEO

Lee, who will replace Ian Flanagan, has been appointed on a one-year deal but will approach the role with an attitude of the job being permanent

New Munster interim chief executive officer Avan Lee served as Hurricanes CEO for a decade. Pic: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

Munster and the IRFU have appointed New Zealander Avan Lee as the province’s interim chief executive officer, the organisations announced on Wednesday in a joint statement.

Former Hurricanes chief executive Lee will take the reins towards the end of this month on a one-year deal when current CEO Ian Flanagan steps down after seven years at Munster Rugby.

Lee, who played club rugby with Clontarf during a 10-year spell in Ireland as a twentysomething, was at the helm of the Wellington-based Super Rugby franchise for a decade between 2015 and his decision to leave his post last November, citing his wish to allow fresh leadership to guide “the next phase of the Hurricanes’ journey”.

Now the New Zealander will join forces with fellow Kiwi and head coach Clayton McMillan to guide the Irish province through its current challenges and has ambitions to land the CEO role on a permanent basis.

"Yeah, definitely,” Lee told Irish media on a Wednesday morning conference call when asked about his interest in the post full-time.

"It's 12 months, as the interim, which is whatever you take from that. But 12 months is certainly, from my perspective, my attitude is that it's permanent. And, you know, once I do a good job, I'm sure that will happen. But I'm not coming over to look at a 12-month job. I feel like I'm leaving New Zealand for this opportunity."

Munster this year conducted a round of redundancies, and after reporting a deficit of €1m for 2024-25 are forecasting a similar loss for 2025-26. There has also been controversy with the failed appointment of McMillan’s former Chiefs assistant Roger Randle as attack coach last spring, the recruitment process which was cancelled by mutual agreement leading to the Board commissioning an Independent Governance and Organisational Review. That is expected to be delivered in the next two weeks ahead of the interim CEO’s arrival at the organisation’s headquarters in Cork.

“I am honoured to be appointed Interim CEO of Munster Rugby,” Lee said in the joint statement. “This is a province with a proud history, passionate supporters and a strong reputation within the game.

“While my professional career has taken me around the world, Ireland has been an important part of my own rugby journey. I spent nearly a decade living here, including playing club rugby, and I developed a deep appreciation for the game's place in Irish communities and the unique connection between rugby clubs and their supporters.

“There are important challenges ahead but I firmly believe there is also tremendous opportunity. I am excited to work alongside our players, coaches, staff, volunteers, partners and supporters as we build on Munster Rugby's strengths and shape a successful future.”

Lee addressed the wider Munster rugby community when he added: “My message to everyone connected with the province is simple: we are stronger when we stand together. If we unite behind a shared ambition and a commitment to excellence, I am confident Munster Rugby can achieve great things in the years ahead.”

Both Munster and the IRFU expressed their delight at attracting Lee to the interim post, describing him as “one of the most experienced executives in club rugby… bringing more than a decade of leadership at the highest level of the professional game”.

The statement added: “Across a career spanning rugby administration, governance, commercial development and high-performance sport, he has built a strong reputation for strategic leadership, organisational growth and stakeholder engagement.

"We are delighted to appoint Avan as Interim CEO,”. Munster Rugby Chair Ger Malone said. “Throughout the interview process, Avan impressed the Board with both the breadth of his rugby experience and his clear understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing professional sports organisations today.

"He brings strong leadership credentials, significant rugby expertise and a collaborative approach that we believe will be hugely valuable to Munster Rugby. The Board has every confidence that he will provide strong stewardship of the province and we look forward to working closely with him in the months ahead."

IRFU Chief Executive Kevin Potts added: "Avan is a highly experienced sports executive with a deep understanding of professional rugby and the wider sporting landscape.

"The IRFU is committed to supporting Munster Rugby in achieving success both on and off the field, and we are confident that Avan's leadership, experience and strategic insight will make a positive impact during this important period for the province."