Keith Earls takes opposite stance to O’Mahony on ex-Munster coach

Interesting...

Their relationship soured towards the end of Rowntree's time at Munster - he left abruptly in the middle of the 2024/2025 season - with both O'Mahony, and fellow Munster icon Conor Murray, both speaking of the disrespect they felt from their former boss.

However, their ex-Munster and Ireland teammate, Keith Earls, took a very different view on the situation in a recent appearance on an episode of the Indo Sports podcast.

Earls, who called time on his Munster and Ireland career at the conclusion of the 2023 World Cup, had high praise for Rowntree, and respected the blunt ways of the Englishman.

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He explained: "I wasn't around when Wig supposedly lost the dressing room.

"Wig called me into his office and said, 'I think you're done.' I always appreciate it. I always said, Wig dropped me and Conor Murray for a European match against Toulouse. And, yeah, I was pissed off, but I was like, 'Fair play, he had the balls to do it. He's looking to make a change.'"

Despite criticism, it was Rowntree who brought Munster their first trophy since 2011, when they defeated the Stormers in the 2023 URC Grand Final.

Earls also contended that he felt Rowntree should still be at Munster, adding: "There are some fellas who have left Munster that should still be at Munster coaching...unfortunately we have had casualties that shouldn't have happened."