Munster have lost another coach with immediate effect

Forwards coach Andi Kyriacou has left Munster just over three weeks after head coach Graham Rowntree exited the Irish province with immediate effect. Rowntree departed following a sluggish start to the URC season featuring just two wins in six outings.

Now, ahead of the league’s resumption next week following its Autumn Nations Series break, Munster will go in against the Lions in Limerick short another coach after Kyriacou felt his future was best served by returning to England.

Munster appointed Ian Costello as their interim boss following the departure of Rowntree, but their search for a head coach has now expanded to also finding a new forwards coach.

A statement read: “Munster Rugby can confirm that forwards coach Andi Kyriacou has announced his decision to leave the province to rejoin his family in England. Andi, who played for Munster during the 2006/07 season, joined as an elite player development officer with the academy in April 2021.

“He was promoted to forwards coach ahead of the 2022/23 season where he was an integral part of the coaching group that led Munster to the URC title that year and topped the table last season. The recruitment process for a new forwards coach has begun.”

Munster CEO Ian Flanagan said: “We would like to thank Andi for all his hard work over the last number of years in both his role as an elite player development officer and as forwards coach for the senior men’s team. I would like to wish Andi and his family the very best for the future on behalf of Munster.”

Kyriacou added: “I would like to thank the players, management and fans for the warm welcome throughout both my times at Munster. However, I have lived apart from my young family for several years now and we felt it timely to continue our rugby journey back in the UK.

“It has not been an easy decision as Munster is a club very close to my heart and, above all, it has been a pleasure to be able to coach a group of such impressive young players and men. I’m particularly proud of winning the URC in the 22/23 season, topping the league last year and for all the young players I have helped develop. I wish Munster every success in the future.”