Reporting by Simon Lewis
Forwards coach Flannery and backline and attack coach Jones will exit Munster at the end of the season having turned down contract extensions to stay on van Graan’s coaching ticket.
Speaking on Monday as preparations continued for Munster’s Guinness PRO14 semi-final against defending champions Leinster at Dublin’s RDS on Saturday, van Graan said:
“I am very disappointed and sad that they are leaving. Two fantastic coaches and more importantly two brilliant Munster men.
“We believe that competitive terms were offered and they rejected their contract offers. From a personal point of view, it’s two guys that I have worked really well with and unfortunately they are moving on.
“It was the intention of the PGB (Professional Games Board) to make sure that they finalised my contract first and then the other two assistant coaches. Unfortunately it didn’t work out that they will be staying.
“I believe we did everything we could. Really sad to see them going. Now we have a few voids to fill. First up is the semi-final with Leinster and then the process will be on-going to find their replacements.”
