Former World Cup-winner Stephen Larkham has been appointed senior coach at Irish powerhouse Munster, with Rugby Australia Saturday saying it will help in his dream of one day coaching the Wallabies.
Larkham spent four years as Australia’s attack coach but was axed in February after disagreements with head coach Michael Cheika over strategy and game philosophy following a wretched 2018.
He had been working with the Sevens team and Junior Wallabies ahead of the announcement overnight of his appointment with the Pro14 team until June 2022.
“Stephen made the decision to join Munster in full consultation with us and we will remain in close contact with him during his time in Ireland,” said Rugby Australia director Scott Johnson.
“We believe the experience Stephen will gain from a head coach role internationally will grow his coaching capabilities significantly and we are very keen for him to remain part of the Australian rugby coaching system.
“He has made it clear that his ultimate goal is to coach the Wallabies and the next three years will give him a solid platform to achieve his coaching ambitions.”
Larkham’s coaching career began at the ACT Brumbies in 2011 with the former Australia international, who won the World Cup in 1999 and was capped 102 times, elevated to head coach at the Super Rugby side within three years.
His success led to his role with the Wallabies in 2015.
Australia have yet to appoint a new attack coach.
