Rugby

Mike Prendergast joins Munster coaching ticket as attack coach

Current Racing coach signs three year contract to replace outgoing Stephen Larkham

Mike Prendergast has agreed to become Munster’s attack coach. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho

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John O'Sullivan
Wed May 4 2022 - 19:45

Mike Prendergast has agreed a three-year contract to take over as Munster backs and attack coach ahead of the 2022-2023 season. He will begin his role in July replacing Stephen Larkham who returns to Australia. The 44-year-old Limerick native will work under the new head coach Graham Rowntree, who succeeds Bath bound Johann van Graan at the end of the current season.

Denis Leamy (defence), currently contact and breakdown skills coach at Leinster and Andy Kyriacou (forwards, academy) have also been linked with roles in the new coaching ticket at Munster. Prendergast re-joins the club he made 48 appearances for as a scrumhalf during two separate spells, while also playing with Bourgoin and Gloucester.

When he finished his playing career in 2009, he took over as director of rugby at All Ireland League club Young Munster for whom he had played. In 2013 he joined French Top 14 side Grenoble as skills coach, initially working alongside Bernard Jackman (defence) before the latter took over as head coach.

Prendergast spent four years there before moving to Oyonnax for the 2017-2018 season as backs’ coach. The club was relegated, and Prendergast moved to join Paul O’Connell as part of a coaching ticket under South African Heyneke Meyer at Stade Francais.

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After just a season he moved across the French capital to join Racing 92 where he has continued to develop his reputation as an excellent backs/attack coach. His return to Munster is rightly regarded as a significant coup for the Irish province in getting a top-quality operator with an innate understanding of all things Munster.

In an interview with Midi-Olympique Prendergast said of his decision: “It’s a family choice above all. I was really happy at Racing, but some family matters are pushing me to return home.”

In a Munster context Prendergast had previously worked closely with current academy manager Ian Costello and team Manager Niall O’Donovan when overseeing the backline for the Munster A side that enjoyed British and Irish Cup success in 2012.

Munster officially confirmed the news in a statement which read: “Munster Rugby and the IRFU are pleased to confirm that Mike Prendergast will join the province as Attack Coach on a three-year contract ahead of the 2022/23 season.

“The former Munster player will join incoming Head Coach Graham Rowntree’s coaching ticket from July, making the move from Paris where he has held the position of Attack and Backs Coach with Racing 92 since 2019.”

MunsterMike Prendergast