Graham Rowntree Appointed Head Coach at Urayasu D-Rocks

Graham Rowntree, the former Munster head coach who guided the province to a United Rugby Championship title in 2023, has been named the new head coach of Japan Rugby League One side Urayasu D-Rocks.

Rowntree's departure from Munster came by mutual agreement in October 2024, following a challenging start to the season that saw four losses in six matches. He had originally joined the province in 2019 as forwards coach and was promoted to head coach in 2022, achieving immediate success with a URC crown.

In announcing his move to the D-Rocks, Rowntree expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity, describing the club as “ambitious and proud” and acknowledging the gradually rising standard of Japan Rugby League One.

Adding intrigue to the story, unverified reports suggest that Rowntree may have returned to La Rochelle recently, fueling speculation about his true intentions and whether this Japanese appointment marks the start of a longer overseas chapter.