Munster captain Tadhg Beirne admits he was disappointed to hear of the latest coaching change at the province, but says he understands Mike Prendergast's decision to move on a the end of the season.
The province’s attack coach is expected to join Bath this summer after Munster confirmed he would depart his role at the end of the season.
Bath, who are coached by former Munster boss Johann van Graan, are on the lookout for a new attack coach after Lee Blackett joined Steve Borthwick’s England set-up earlier this season.
Prendergast’s likely move to the Premiership champions would also see him reunite with out-half Finn Russell, whom he previously worked with at Racing 92.
"I was disappointed to hear for sure, not just to lose Mike as a coach but also the person he is," Beirne said, after the news was confirmed on Thursday.
"He's brilliant around the squad and everyone gets on unbelievably well with him, but at the same time there's an opportunity for him elsewhere and he's going to do what's best for his family and I completely understand that.
"He's done so much for us as a club since he's come in, fresh ideas and we've also won a league under his attack, so he's been brilliant for us and we'll be sad to see him go but we completely understand his decision too."
The former Munster scrum-half (above) spent several years coaching in France before returning to his native province in the summer of 2022, working as attack coach under Graham Rowntree.
His position at the province became complicated last year when he publicly put his name forward for the head coach job after Rowntree’s unexpected departure, but he was ultimately overlooked for the role with New Zealander Clayton McMillan recruited from the Chiefs.
At the time, Prendergast didn't hide his disappointment at missing out on the top job, but did sign a new contract, promoted to the role of senior coach.
His departure leaves Munster on the lookout for a new attack specialist this summer, although Beirne doesn’t believe the latest coaching change should be a worry for the province’s future plans.
"Who knows what's going to happen in terms of someone else coming in," he said. "It'd be interesting to see what happens because our attack might change again and look, sometimes that can do the world of good as well.
"We wish him the very best and we still have a long season ahead of us, and he's still with us until the end of the season, and he's going to give 100% of himself to the club because he loves Munster.
"Our focus is just going to be on the remainder of the season and then we'll attack next year with whatever happens."
Munster return to action tonight in the United Rugby Championship, looking to maintain their play-off push with a home tie against Zebre Parma at Thomond Park (5.30pm).
Beirne (above) won't be involved, with the 34-year-old among the frontline Ireland internationals enjoying a weekend off during the Six Nations break.
The versatile forward played a major role in last week’s 42-21 win against England at Twickenham, making an impressive 17 tackles and forcing multiple turnovers in defence.
And while Ireland’s game finally clicked into gear after a sluggish start to the championship, Beirne insists they have to keep improving against Wales and Scotland in their final two games.
"There was never a bad mood in the camp," said the former Leinster and Scarlets lock.
"We weren't hitting our potential and that's something we were trying to focus on, trying to get the best out of one another.
"It was a pleasing feeling that we were able to put in a performance that we were proud of.
"I thought we were better again against Italy. I think we were just very disappointed after the French game with how we played.
"We had a big focus that week in improving that performance and we did the same again against England.
"It'll be no different this week. It'll be the same mood, same goals, getting a better performance against Wales and that's what we'll be chasing.
"You can't just pat yourselves on the back and think it's going to happen again.
"You have to focus on what went well, bank it, and then focus on what we need to improve on because there is no point in saying 'Oh it was a good performance, we will just do it again next week.'
"It doesn't work like that. You have to work incredibly hard to get those performances and it'll be no different next week.
"We are going to have to work incredibly hard to put in a good performance but we don't just want to put in a good performance, we want to get better and that's the challenge."
