Munster have called off the hiring of former All Black winger Roger Randle as the side’s Attack Coach for next season.

Randle, who was capped twice by the All Blacks in the early 2000s, was set to take over as Munster’s Attack Coach, replacing the outgoing Mike Prendergast, who is set to rejoin Johann van Graan at Bath.

Randle was a pick for Munster Head Coach Clayton McMillan, who previously worked with Randle during his time with the Chiefs in Super Rugby Pacific. However, many people raised questions over Randle’s past, more specifically, his charge of rape in 1997.

The incident happened while Randle was on tour in South Africa with the Hurricanes in Super Rugby, and while the victim eventually withdrew the charge, DNA tests implicated Randle, along with two of his teammates, in the crime.

The move caused turmoil behind the scenes in Limerick, with three past players, Mick O’Driscoll, Billy Holland, and Killian Keane, resigning from their roles as independent members of the Professional Games Committee. McMillan defended the hiring, calling Randle ‘an outstanding human’ and urging fans to ‘put their trust in me.’

However, only a couple of weeks after being confirmed for the job, Munster confirmed reports from Cian Treacy in the Irish Independent that Randle’s hiring was called off, saying that: ‘Following recent discussions and having considered the circumstances that have developed after the announcement, Roger and Munster Rugby have mutually agreed not to proceed with the appointment.’

Randle himself then released a statement, denying the ‘false’ allegations, saying: ‘I am deeply saddened that unfounded allegations from nearly 30 years ago – allegations I have always denied – have resurfaced during this process and overshadowed what was a wonderful opportunity to contribute to Munster Rugby.’

‘I want to state clearly that these claims are false, and I maintain my complete and unwavering innocence, as I always have.

‘It became clear that the renewed public attention around these allegations had created circumstances where proceeding with the role was no longer the right outcome for our family. This is something that we accept with genuine sadness and disappointment.

‘My priority now is supporting my family and moving forward, while continuing to stand by the truth.

‘I would like to sincerely thank Clayton, the wider Munster Rugby organisation and its supporters, and I wish them every success in the future.’

It is not known who would come in his place, though Skills Coach Mossy Lawlor will be considered for a promotion to Attack Coach in Randle’s place. A potential end to what was a needless headache and PR disaster all of Munster’s own doing.