Munster attack coach Mike Prendergast has confirmed his name is in the hat to take over the top job vacated by Graham Rowntree at the end of October.
Prendergast recently signed a two-year extension to his role in charge of attack but has confirmed this does not rule him out from becoming the new head coach and that, in fact, he is very much available if the Munster and IRFU hierarchy think he is the right person to take them forward.
“Look, I’ve envisaged being a head coach, I suppose more so over the last number of years. The more experience you get, the different environments I’ve been in, the different coaches, head coaches that I’ve been under, you take a lot from that.
“It gets you thinking that the longer you’re in your career, you know, what direction you want to go. It’s something I would have envisaged. If it’s now or if it’s in the future, the club will decide that. But, as of now, I’ve signed up as the attack coach. Really happy. I love doing that as well.
“So, I suppose time will tell on that side. I’ve signed up for two years to be the attack coach, and then, obviously, the head coach role will be something that the club will make a decision on. They’re not rushing into anything because they’ve got to get it right.
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“And I think everyone respects that. But, look, my name is in the pot if you want to put it that way, along with a lot of others I’m sure, good coaches as well. So as I said, time will probably tell,” he said.
The first priority, though, for Prendergast and Munster is getting ready for what at this stage is a regular trip to Castres as they try to build on their opening 33-7 win over Stade Français at the weekend.
They are boosted by Irish props Dave Kilcoyne and Oli Jager being cleared to play. Backs Shane Daly and Calvin Nash have also been declared available after going off for HIAs in the win over the Parisians at the weekend.
Conor Murray, who missed last weekend’s game at Thomond Park, remains sidelined with an elbow injury while lock Jean Kleyn, injured on duty with the Springboks last month, will also miss the trip to the south of France.
The return of Kilcoyne is a big boost to Munster and the player himself after almost 12 months on the sideline.
“He’s been out for a long time now. So seeing him back on the pitch, among the squad is really, really good,” said Prendergast.
“And then credit to the lads that have been there and probably have had to lift a lot over the last number of months, the likes of Stephen Archer and John Ryan, and they’ve been very good for us in terms of performance. And just having that competitiveness back, and being able to look after players as well, is a boost.
“When you have a bit of depth in each position, you can look after guys, and it’s something we have done over the last few weeks, something we look at over the next few weeks as well. So, to have the likes of Oli and Dave Kilcoyne back is huge.”
Prendergast said he believes Munster are on an upward curve and that some things are starting to fall into place at a key time of the season.
“Obviously, like everything, there’s room for improvement. We’re starting to get a few players back. Got a few players back over the last two weeks,” he said. “We get a few players back this week, hopefully, and so on for the next few weeks as well. So that just breeds competition, and when guys are in competition, to get on to the pitch and get their places, that usually brings the best out in people.
“It hasn’t been absolutely perfect, but it definitely feels like we’re moving in the right direction. I think after the break we just identified a couple of areas that we probably needed to improve on, and that’s been coming to fruition at the moment as well.
“So, there’s been good steps forward, and there’s a great energy, a great buzz, and we’re starting to get that bit of a feelgood factor back around the place. And probably no coincidence that the injury list is getting a bit smaller week on week as well.”
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