
Rugby
Share
Published 17:26 22 Apr 2026 BST
Updated 17:26 22 Apr 2026 BST

There has been huge controversy within Munster rugby over the appointment of Roger Randle, who is due to take over as a senior coach from Mike Prendergast ahead of next season.
In 1997, the New Zealander was accused of rape while in Durban with the Hurricanes for a game against the Sharks.
The charges against the former All Blacks were dropped, but the accusation was not.
He has since gone on to have a successful coaching career, and worked with current Munster head coach Clayton McMillan at the Chiefs.
McMillan defended the appointment, saying: "I'm well aware of how our supporters and people in the rugby community are feeling about Roger's appointment," McMillan told RTE Sport.
"I fully respect that people will have an opinion, but it's not an opinion that is shared by me.
"I've known Roger for a long time. I think he's an outstanding human, well loved by family and people that have worked alongside him for a long period of time."
However, not all are in agreement and there have been a number of resignations within the club, with members of Munster’s Professional Games Board - including former players Billy Holland, Mick O’Driscoll and Killian Keane - stepping down.
Members of Munster’s Commercial Advisory Group have also resigned.
Speaking Off the Ball's The Red 78 podcast, Munster great Alan Quinlan gave his opinion on the situation.
He said: "There's talk of people not renewing their season tickets becasue of the situation with the assistant coach.
"Again we have to clarify, there was an accusation made, proceedings were withdrawn, the accusation wasn't.
"Roger Randle has coached consistenly and played after that and coached in different countries.
"Obviously it's nothing personal against Roger Randle but I think Munster should have stayed away from it.
Explore more on these topics:
Peter O’Mahony open to Munster role after huge criticism of province
Fascinating insights from POM. Peter O’Mahony became the latest ex-player to criticise the management of Munster rugby; first in extracts from his new autobiography, All In, and now from a revealing chat with the Irish Independent. Last year, former scrum-half Conor Murray made headlines when he lambasted the Munster hierarchy. When asked whether he felt […]
Rugby
4 days ago
Ex-England star in frame for Ireland squad after superb Munster debut
A quality signing it seems! The signing of Kieran Brookes was met with scepticism by some Munster supporters, earlier this year; and, indeed, the signing of a 36-year-old, who hadn’t played international rugby since 2016 – bar an appearance for the Barbarians – didn’t seem on par with the signing of hooker, and South Africa […]
Rugby
6 days ago
Rugby
Rugby