Munster make announcement on Denis Leamy's future amid coaching exodus

Munster defence coach Denis Leamy has signed a two-year contract extension with the province.

The former Ireland and Munster No 8 has taken charge of the 2023 United Rugby Championship winners' defence for the last two-and-a-half years after joining Graham Rowntree's coaching staff in 2022 following the Englishman's appointment as head coach.

The shock sacking of Rowntree in October has thrown the Munster coaching team into turmoil though, with forwards coach Andi Kyriacou also departing Thomond Park recently. 

Munster have got their rebuild underway, however, and have announced Leamy's new deal a day after Alex Codling was announced as their forwards coach consultant.

Leamy has masterminded the most frugal defence in the URC over the past two seasons since arriving from Leinster, conceding the fewest points in both the Championship-winning season and last campaign, where they crashed out in the semi-finals.

Munster are yet to announce who Rowntree's successor will be, though head of rugby operations Ian Costello has held the role on an interim basis.

The two-time European champions are currently sat in 12th place in the URC ladder with only two wins from their opening six matches. They host the Lions on Saturday as they look to arrest a three-match losing streak.

Following the match against the South African outfit, the province will face Stade Francais and Castres in the Investec Champions Cup.