Reports are suggesting that Denis Leamy is set to defect back to his home province of Munster, and join up with Graham Rowntree’s new coaching ticket next season.
The former Munster and Ireland backrower has spent the last year working with Leinster as their contact skills coach, replacing Hugh Hogan who had left for the Scarlets.
While he is enjoying a lot of success with arguably the best side in Europe, it is reported that Leamy will be taking up the role as defence coach in Munster, replacing the outgoing JP Ferreira.
It is an obvious promotion in terms of his importance within a coaching setup, and there is also the pull of going back home to the team he spent his entire playing career with, and with whom he enjoyed so much success.
With Munster he won two Heineken Cups, three league trophies, and a Celtic Cup. While with Ireland the Tipp man won 57 caps, and played a big role in Ireland’s 2009 Grand Slam winning squad.
He also was Tipperary's strength and conditioning coach when they won the 2016 All-Ireland final.
4 September 2016; Former Munster rugby player and current Tipperary strength & conditioning coach Denis Leamy ahead of the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Final match between Kilkenny and Tipperary at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
There is a feeling of excitement beginning to brew down south in regards to the upcoming season, and a sense that a new coaching ticket will bring major change and hopefully success.
The reign of Johann Van Graan has been largely disappointing, with Munster failing to capitalise on a constantly improving squad and an academy which is beginning to produce a new generation of forward and half-back talent.
However, Van Graan does have until the end of the season to leave a positive mark on the club, and he seems to be moving the club in right direction following big wins over Exeter and Ulster in the last two weeks.
The question is whether it will be another case of déjà vu for Munster, who have flattered to deceive at the tail end of the season under Van Graan.
If Leamy joins, Rowntree will still need to fill the role of backs/attack coach, with former Munster player and current Racing 92 back coach Mike Prendergast the favourite to take on this role.
Munster academy coach Ian Costello, who oversaw the senior team’s Champions Cup win away to Wasps, may also be in the mix, as might Shark’s senior coach and former Ireland U20s head coach Noel McNamara.
While a new era at Munster beckons, Leinster will be in the market for potentially two new coaches to replace Leamy and possibly assistant coach Felipe Contepomi, who is rumoured to be joining the Argentinian set up under their new head coach Michael Cheika.
The news appears in the Irish Daily Mail today, and the42.ie among others.
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