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Paul O'Connell has had his say on the Munster head coach vacancy
By Liam Heagney
Ireland forwards coach Paul O’Connell has ended speculation that he could be a contender to become the head coach at Munster following last month’s dismissal of Graham Rowntree.
The 2023 URC title-winning boss left the role following a difficult start of the 2024/25 season in which the Irish province won just two of its opening six league matches.
Munster had just arrived back from losing both matches on their South African tour when the decision was reached to part company with Rowntree, who had stepped up from an assistant’s role in the summer of 2022 after Johann van Graan exited to take over at Bath.
The legendary O’Connell, who skippered Munster to their second European Cup title in 2008, has long been touted for a coaching return at the club but that homecoming won’t be happening any time soon as he has ruled himself out from filling the Rowntree vacancy.
Speaking to reporters in Dublin this week ahead of Ireland’s final Autumn Nations Series fixture versus Australia, he said: “No, I have no interest in it. Certainly in the short term, anyway. I just hope they get the right man.”
Confirmation that O’Connell isn’t a runner for the position emerged after Munster had confirmed two-year contract extensions for assistant coaches Mike Prendergast and Denis Leamy. Ian Costello remains their interim boss with the URC set to resume this weekend with Munster in action on Saturday against the Lions in Limerick.
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Latest Comments
So the number of minutes is what measures merit?
With and without him, not the same team. 3 titles in 4 tournaments, with a third place on the first one.
Look at other 15s stars who tried and didn’t perform like Habana.
Look at Keenan.
If that’s not an impact… Look at Squidge reaction on the matter.
And if you want to look at minutes, you should say Jesse Kriel should’ve have taken the POTY over Du Toit.
The guy started 7s in January.
And won the Champions Cup and the Top14 in between those 7s competitions. A week after his immense performance against Leinster, he won the Grand Final in Madrid.
Award given due to star power? He proved all year that he’s deserves his star status by winning it all, except for 1 tournament in Vancouver.
And 1 defeat in 15s.
Go to commentsI think the ratings were mostly fair tbh, the simple fact is that Borthwick is being far to loyal to some players who are clearly well past their sell by date, this coupled with the fact that England currently don't have any truly world class operators and we are where we are.
I also think that poor decisions were made in selection in regard to Henry Slade and George martin, neither of whom appeared fully fit after lengthy lay offs pre series.
The decision to pick Tom curry given his concussion issues also showed a lack of judgement.
Borthwick and his coaching team are very callow in international coaching terms, and it's shows!!
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