Nov 27,2024
Munster have secured some badly needed stability on their coaching team as Mike Prendergast and Denis Leamy have both agreed new contracts to remain at the province.
The pair, both of whom joined in 2022 and were out of contract this summer, have signed two-year deals to stay in their roles of attack and defence coach, respectively.
It provides some clarity to the province going forward as they look to rebuild, following the departure of head coach Graham Rowntree last month, and forwards coach Andi Kyriacou last week.
Rowntree's role has yet to be filled, with head of rugby operations Ian Costello currently covering on an interim basis, while Alex Codling has stepped in as a forwards coach consultant until the end of season, and will double-job with his current role as forwards coach for the Ireland women's team.
Prendergast had been among the favourites for the permanent head coach role, and so it remains to be seen if the Limerick man is still in contention to step up.
Either way, the province will be relived to secure the pair to new contracts, with Prendergast having been the subject of interest from clubs in France.
Meanwhile, the province say Jean Kleyn (above) will miss this Saturday's URC meeting with the Emirates Lions, as they wait to find out the full extent of his neck injury.
The second row was a late withdrawal from South Africa's starting line-up before their Autumn Nations Series win over Wales on Saturday, and has been sent for a scan on his neck injury.
Munster have also confirmed that prop Jeremy Loughman is set for a spell on the sidelines. The 29-year-old suffered a hip injury in the defeat to the Stormers in Cape Town last month, and has since had surgery, although Munster have not put a timeline on his recovery.
In a further blow, new signing Diarmuid Kilgallen has been ruled out following surgery on a wrist injury. The 24-year-old impressed in his first Munster appearance earlier this month, when he started in their defeat to the All Blacks XV, but a wrist operation has now put him back in the treatment room, having nursed a hamstring injury earlier in the campaign.
Seán O'Brien will also miss this weekend's visit of the South Africans due to a leg injury, while Oli Jager is still unavailable with his neck issue, although the province say he has increased his workload in training.
In better news, centre Alex Nankivell (above) has recovered from his hip injury and is available for selection this weekend. The New Zealander hasn't featured since the URC Round 4 defeat to Leinster on 12 October.
Shane Daly (leg), Liam Coombes (leg) and Thaakir Abrahams (thigh) will all return to full training this week with their respective availability to be confirmed later this week.
