Report | “It’s above all a family choice” Mike Prendergast set for sensational return to Munster

The Limerick native looks set to return home to Munster as part of Graham Rowntree’s new coaching ticket.

Rumours are circulating that Mike Prendergast will return to Munster under Graham Rowntree’s coaching ticket for the 2022/23 season after a report from Midi Olympique.

The French outlet has the former Munster man quoted as citing his family as a decision to return home.

“It’s above all a family choice. I was really happy at Racing, I had an excellent relationship with Laurent Travers and Jacky Lorenzetti, but some family problems push me today to return to the country. In the meantime, I hope that we will have a great end to the season and that we will offer a title to this club”.

Mike Prendergast to Midi Olympique

The Limerick native has a year remaining on his contract with Racing 92, but it is understood that the clubs are working on a deal to allow him to move back to Munster a season early.

The former Munster player is the first to join Rowntree’s ticket with coaches JP Fereira and Stephen Larkham set to depart at the seasons end as is current head coach Johann van Graan.

Prendergast, a former out half, represented Munster from 2001-2006 and one more season before retiring in 2009. He then moved into management as director of rugby with Young Munster.

He then took up a coaching role with Bernard Jackman in Grenoble. Roles with Oyonnax and Stade Francais followed before he took up his current role with Racing in 2019.

The French club reached the Champions Cup final in his first year in the role. Initially, Prendergast was favoured to replace Johann van Graan, before Rowntree was confirmed for the role.

Racing have been quick to replace Prendergast with former Union Bordeaux-Bègles manager Rory Teague set to take over in the role of head of attack.