Munster are going to have a significant task in filling the coaching hole that Jim Williams leaves when he returns to Australia at the end of the season to take up the assistant coaching job with the Wallabies. Williams, who joined Munster at the start of the 2001-2002 season, had another year to run on his contract with Munster but CEO Garrett Fitzgerald, once made aware of the Australian's interest, indicated they would release him if the offer arrived.
"From our own perspective we are obviously disappointed to see Jim go. He has been a huge asset to us both as a player and more recently as a coach. However, we do recognise the honour and importance of his new role and wish him every success," said Fitzgerald.
The international backrow made his debut for Munster in the 40-19 Celtic League win over Connacht at Thomond Park in August 2001 and went on to make 74 appearances before retiring at the end of the 2004/2005 season. He captained the squad in the season that culminated with victory in the Celtic League final and when he hung up his boots he immediately joined the Munster coaching staff under coach Declan Kidney.
"To be asked to coach at national level is such a huge honour and one that any coach would jump at," said Williams yesterday. "It's an opportunity that doesn't come around too often and I am really looking forward to working with Robbie Deans. It's an exciting challenge at a time when Australian rugby maybe needs to go in a different direction and I'm looking forward to being part of that process."
The invitation to go back home came as no surprise to several people in the Munster camp. Williams did not spring his final decision on Munster but sought advice among the players before agreeing to the move.
"Yeah, I had spoken to Jimmy a couple of times about it, I knew it was coming," said Mick O'Driscoll yesterday. "Jimmy will be a huge loss for us. To be fair to him there's not many people can go from playing rugby for a team to coaching and do it successfully, and he did both of them very well. He will be a huge loss to us.
"The Aussies wanted someone with some overseas experience and I suppose for a guy like Jim, the fact that he was with us when we won the European Cup in 2006 will be a big bonus to have on his CV. I think he certainly knows the game inside out and being an Aussie, he obviously wants to get home."
