It's been nearly two months since the shock news that Graham Rowntree was departing his role as Munster head coach mid-season.
While the province has stemmed the crisis with several positive coaching appointments that went a long way in restoring confidence in the under-fire association, they are yet to locate Rowntree's successor.
Ian Costello is currently managing the side on an interim basis, while both Mike Prendergast and Denis Leamy have penned new deals to keep them coaching in the province. Ireland women's forwards coach Alex Codling has also been seconded to the province where he'll work above Sean Cronin.
Interim boss Ian Costello has already confirmed that he has no interest in taking on the role long-term. That said, Mike Prendergast has expressed interest in taking on the role and is one of the favourites for it, while Felix Jone's official departure from the England set-up last week could clear the path for him to return to the province.
16 December 2023; Racing 92 head coach Stuart Lancaster before the Investec Champions Cup Pool 2 Round 2 match between Ulster and Racing 92 at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
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Dire Racing 92 situation clearing path for Stuart Lancaster move to Munster
However, it now appears that Stuart Lancaster's dire run of form with Racing 92 in Paris has cast his name back into the running for the vacant role. The former Leinster and England coach had been linked with the role shortly after Rowntree's departure but was quickly deemed to be one of the least feasible of the candidates.
The Englishman's tenure in Paris is currently sitting on thin ice as his relationship with the club and fans continues to deteriorate, thanks to a brutal run of form in both the Champions Cup and the Top 14 and his choice to play his own son at outhalf for the club.
Speaking on The Rugby Pod, England legend Andy Goode revealed that the situation had led to Lancaster entering the race to take over in Limerick.
I'm hearing either (Lancaster) wants out or they want him out. He's picking his son at fly half right. Apparently the French lads are not happy with Stuart Lancaster whatsoever and I'm not sure Lanny's enjoying that relationship with the French lads and the club.
The easy thing to do over in Racing and in France in general is just to blame the non-french option, blame the English guys, blame the Scots, blame whoever else is there thatr's not French and Lanny'd under some heat.
I've heard he's chucked his hat in the ring for Munster because he wants out of Racing, but we'll see what happens.
While Lancaster will have intense competition for any interest in the Munster role from Mike Prendergast at least, the Racing boss does have a track record of success in Ireland.
Lancaster served as Leo Cullen's head-coach at Leinster for eight seven-years in Leinster where he was hailed as one of the most influential cogs in delivering the 2018 Champions Cup, three further European finals and four league titles.
Unfortunately for Lancaster however, he has been unable to emulate that success in Paris despite bringing both Owen Farrell and Siya Kolisi to the club. Racing 92 currently sit eight in the Top 14 having won just five of their opening eleven games and shipped a hammering from Sale Sharks in the Champions Cup last weekend.
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