Ian Costello to assume new role at Munster Rugby

MUNSTER Rugby and the IRFU has confirmed that Academy and Pathway Manager Ian Costello will assume the newly created role of Head of Rugby Operations at the end of this season.

Costello will take on further responsibility in an all-encompassing Head of Rugby Operations role that will oversee the long-term strategic development of the elite player pathway, succession planning, and provide recruitment support for developing, retaining, and recruiting players in conjunction with the Head Coach.

Costello returned to Munster Rugby in 2021 after working in the UK for five years. From 2018 he had held the role of Defence Coach with Wasps Rugby and prior to that was the Head Coach of Championship club Nottingham Rugby.

Costello initially worked with Munster's academy in 2006 when carrying out his role of IRFU Elite Player Development Officer for two years.

Over the same period, he worked with UL Bohemian RFC in the roles of Head Coach and Director of Rugby and was instrumental in developing the club’s academy programme.

A former Munster U20s Coach, he assumed the role of Munster A Head Coach in 2011, leading the province to a British and Irish Cup title in 2012, and was promoted to Assistant Coach with the senior squad in 2014.

Commenting on Costello's new appointment, Munster Rugby CEO Ian Flanagan said, “We are delighted that Ian will step into this newly created role.

“This has been a work in progress in the background for some time as we look to align our resource support with the IRFU and other provinces.

“When Ian returned to the province as Academy Manager he was identified as the ideal candidate for this role when incorporating his previous coaching experience, managerial skill-set, and strategic abilities for aligning and developing our player pathway.”

Head Coach Graham Rowntree added, “I’m delighted to have someone of Cossie’s calibre (Ian Costello) taking on this role.

“We work very closely as it is through his academy role, and from my own personal point of view it has been a really positive working relationship. Ian and his academy team play a key role in everything we are trying to achieve each week.

“It’s great to have a dedicated resource to driving long-term succession planning and coordinate recruitment operations, and I believe it will be of huge benefit to not only me and our coaching team, but to Munster Rugby.”