Chiefs attack coach Roger Randle’s appointment to Munster’s coaching staff at the end of the season continues to rock the Irish club, with multiple officials resigning.
Randle was hired as attack coach Mike Prendergast’s successor, but former Munster players Billy Holland, Mick O’Driscoll and Killian Keane resigned from the club’sprofessional game committee as a result of the decision.
The Irish Examiner also reported members of Munster’s commercial advisory group resigned earlier this week.
A statement on these resignations said the group “is an informal voluntary group of business and industry people who advise Munster Rugby with its commercial activities and initiatives” and thanked the members for their contribution and hard work to the club.
Randle was accused of raping a woman in 1997 while he was part of the Hurricanes side who played a Super Rugby match in the South African city of Durban.
He has denied the allegations and charges were withdrawn.
Roger Randle's appointment at Munster has prompted multiple resignations. Photo / Photosport
The Irish Times reported Munster chief executive Ian Flanagan and general manager Ian Costello were understood to be the driving force behind the appointment of Randle, who had a previous working relationship with head coach Clayton McMillan.
Munster captain Tadhg Beirne said he was focused on playing rivals Ulster at the weekend when asked about Randle.
“There’s obviously a lot being said at the moment,” he said.
“But like I said, I can’t be distracted by any of that stuff at the moment because in here, all our focus is on Ulster.
“Clayton [McMillan] has worked with him, has a great relationship with him. He sat down with us as a leadership group and spoke very highly of him. So, we’re just mainly focused on the next this week and then come the summer, we can focus on everything else.”
Munster go into their match at the weekend off the back of a seven-try victory over Italian outfit Benetton in the United Rugby Championship.
“We had two long weeks to prepare for that game, and I think we had a good look at ourselves to bounce back and thankfully we got a good response,” Beirne said.
