1
Stephen Larkham poised to join Munster coaching set-up
By Online Editors
Only days after securing the services of Graham Rowntree, Munster are on the verge of confirming the recruitment of another high-profile coach to their set-up.
Stephen Larkham is set to join the province as their new attack coach, replacing the departed Felix Jones, according to multiple news outlets in Ireland.
Jones and Jerry Flannery made the shock decision not to renew their contracts with Munster and the IRFU, which ran out in June, forcing Johann van Graan into re-shaping his coaching team for next season.
Rowntree, who has coached England and the British and Irish Lions and is currently with the Georgian national team, will join up with Munster following the Rugby World Cup.
Larkham on the other hand is available immediately after being sacked from his job as Australia's attack coach earlier this year, just eight months before the start of the Rugby World Cup.
He was the most high-profile fall guy of Rugby Australia’s review of the Wallabies’ worst season in 60 years, in 2018, when they won just four of 13 Tests.
Larkham moved to a new role as national high performance coach advisor and speaking at the time of his sacking he said: “Ultimately Michael (Cheika) is responsible for the performance of the team. We have differences in attacking strategy and overall game philosophy. We couldn’t agree on these key points and it is in the best interest of the team that they receive clear and consistent messages from their coaches.
“I am obviously disappointed with this outcome as I had chosen to pursue the experience of taking the Wallabies through to the World Cup, however I am pleased to be able to continue coaching and contributing to Australian rugby in this new role.”
Munster lost out in the semi-finals of the PRO14 and Champions Cup this season. Their defence was feted as a strength this season, conceding the fewest tries (9) during the pool stage of the Champions Cup, however they found try scoring a problem getting over 14 times during pool stage, in comparison with rivals Leinster who scored almost double that (27).
Back in March centre Chris Farrell highlighted their blunt attack as an area for concern. “It’s the last aspect of our game that really needs to kick on and really needs a little bit of work, because everything else is so good."
Larkham was part of the coaching staff which helped Australia to the final of the 2015 Rugby World Cup and was the Wallabies flyhalf when they won the World Cup in 1999.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Israel Folau to make rugby return despite mid-week Lions disappointmen
3
Gregor Townsend: It’s the first time since 2000 that we’ve been to NZ
4
England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie's club future appears done
5
Latest Comments
I was introduced to crypto investment by an investor I met on Telegram. I liked the program and decided to join the investment platform. At the beginning, I invested and made profits which I continued doing until the website disappeared. I could not withdraw any funds before the incident happened but luckily a friend of mine that works with FBI introduced me to ( WALLET CONNECT (AT) USA (.) C O M) WhatsApp +(1 (412) 225‑ 5918 ) and they came just in time and assisted me to recover all the money. They did a great job and they were very professional to work with. It's quite unbelievable but it happened. We got our money back through their system assistance.
Go to commentsYes that’s what WR needs to look at. Football had the same problem with european powerhouses getting all the latin talent then you’re gaurenteed to get the odd late bloomer (21/22 etc, all the best footballers can play for the country much younger to get locked) star changing his allegiance.
They used youth rep selection for locking national elifibilty at one point etc. Then later only counted residency after the age of 18 (make clubs/nations like in this case wait even longer).
That’s what I’m talking about, not changing allegiance in rugby (were it can only be captured by the senior side), where it is still the senior side. Oh yeah, good point about CJ, so in most cases we probably want kids to be able to switch allegiance, were say someone like Lemoto could rep Tonga (if he wasn’t so good) but still play for Australia’s seniors, while in someone like Kite’s (the last aussie kid to go to France) case he’ll be French qualified via 5 years residency at the age of 21, so France to lock him up before Aussie even get a chance to select him. But if we use footballs regulations, who I’m suggesting WR need to get their a into g replicating, he would only start his 5 years once he turns 18 or whatever, meaning 23 yo is as soon as anyone can switch, and when if they’re good enough teams like NZ and Aus can select them (France don’t give a f, they select anybody just to lock them).
Go to comments