Limerick Rugby - Prendergast swaps Munsters for Grenoble

YOUNG Munster’s Director of Rugby, Mike Prendergast is leaving the club at the end of the season to take up a position with French Top 14 club Grenoble.

Prendergast has been appointed skills coach with Grenoble and will join up with the French side during the summer where former Irish hooker Bernard Jackman is defence coach.

Thirty five-year-old Prendergast, who has been Director of Rugby at Young Munster for the past four seasons, has experience of playing in the French league from the time he spent at Bourgoin.

The scrum-half, who has also played at out-half, made 48 appearances in his two spells with Munster and also had a spell with Gloucester in England.

Prendergast guided Young Munster to promotion to Division 1A in the All-Ireland League in his first season as player/coach and has enjoyed both Munster Senior Cup and Limerick Charity Cup successes. However, the AIL title has eluded the Clifford Park outfit during Prendergast’s time in charge.

Prendergast said he is thrilled with the opportunity to coach in France next season.

“I’m delighted to be joining such an ambitious Top 14 club in Grenoble,” Prendergast said.

“This is an exciting challenge as it is a different culture, language and environment but one I’m really looking forward to. Having previously played in France I have the experience of the Top 14 and how competitive and rigorous the league is, but equally fully aware of the influx of new and exciting world class players.

“Having been to Grenoble and seen the set-up, and met with the coaches players, I have been very impressed with their approach and not surprised with the good season they have had so far.

Grenoble were relegated in 2005 under Dean Richards but with former Connacht lock Andrew Farley as captain, the side whose head coach is former French international Fabrice Landreau were promoted last season and are currently in ninth place.