Keith Earls is looking forward to Graham Rowntree's move into the head coach role at Munster, after a 'frustrating' few years of staff turnover.
The Reds' current forwards coach is set to succeed Johann van Graan when the South African leaves Thomond Park to join Bath at the end of the season.
Former England prop Rowntree has signed a two-year contract and says it was an "easy decision" to become head coach.
“I am hugely honoured to be taking over the role of Head Coach for a club of this calibre, one that means so much to me and my family," he told Munster's official website.
“We have thoroughly enjoyed every moment here and I, fortunately, get to work with an incredible group of staff and players who share a common goal each day in striving for success for this club.
Munster winger Keith Earls spoke to Joe Molloy on Wednesday Night Rugby at the launch of the McDonald’s Youth Opportunity Ireland Programme, and he said he is looking forward to Rowntree's move into the role.
"Yeah, it's going to be quite interesting.". Earls told Off The Ball.
"Graham has got a phenomenal relationship with all of us. He's a great man."
"He's come from a club that is quite like Munster, in Leicester, he knows what Munster is about. He's played against them for years. He knows what the supporters are about."
"Since he has come over, he's indulged himself in Limerick culture, Munster culture. He loves it, he loves the people and the people love him as well. He's a humble, passionate lad as well."
While the turnover of coaches has left the club, in what feels like a constant stage of flux, former Munster star, Alan Quinlan believes that Rowntree's time in Munster will serve him well as he transitions into the bigger role.
"I'm delighted," Quinlan said on The Red78 Podcast.
"I think he's the right man and I'll give you my reasons. We had Billy Holland on here a few weeks previous, and he spoke about all the coaches he's had in his career. The chopping and changing. Graham brings continuity here. He knows the players really well. You can imagine if there's a new coach coming in he's got to get to know everybody.
"Their strengths, their weaknesses, their attitude, their desire."
Evaluating the current Munster squad is vitally important. Plenty of the players can offer more than they have done in recent seasons. Some players will move on and others will be elevated into bigger roles. Rowntree has plenty of big decisions to make ahead of next season.
First and foremost, he has to decide on his staff.
Niamh Briggs believes that the coaching ticket is vital. In today's professional era of rugby, it's important to carry more than just one great coach. Leinster, Ireland and France have proven that in recent seasons. Each of those teams boast assistant coaches who are as important as their head coaches.
Those additions must understand Munster as much as Rowntree does.
"The big question now is who do they bring in around him," Briggs said.
"That's going to be really important. You've got to make sure you surround him with good people and good coaches. But people who understand and get what the environment means to be with Munster. To be involved with Munster. Munster are the type of team that live on the history of the province. They live on that.
"And I think he gets that."
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Keith Earls was at the Moyross Youth Academy today for the launch of the McDonald’s Youth Opportunity Ireland Programme, a two-year employment and skills partnership with the Irish Youth Foundation, which will provide €200,000 to youth organisations across Ireland. McDonald’s Youth Opportunity Ireland will enable these youth organisations to deliver specialised training and mentorship opportunities for 2,000 young people by 2023.
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