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Munster named the former Hurricanes CEO Avan Lee as their interim CEO as the province prepares for the departure of Ian Flanagan at the end of October.
Lee will take up the position at the end of the month, less than a year after ending a decade-long spell in charge of the Wellington Super Rugby side.
The 10-year tenure included the Hurricanes’ first Super Rugby title in 2016 as the franchise continued to win Super Rugby Pacific again in 2026, a few months after Lee resigned. He left the role last November following changes at board level and wider developments within the organisation.
His arrival comes after Munster confirmed last week that Flanagan will leave the role he has held since 2019. A recruitment process for a permanent successor is expected to follow.
The appointment comes shortly after former Munster i Ireland Captain Peter O’Mahony has called for a “change of governance” in the province, claiming Munster needs someone with the “best interests of the organisation” to oversee its direction.
Lee also has connections to Irish rugby after spending almost a decade living in Ireland and playing club rugby.
Munster Chairman Ger Malone said: “We are delighted to appoint Avan as Interim Chief Executive of Munster Rugby.
“Throughout the interview process, Avan impressed the Board with both the breadth of his rugby experience and his clear understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing professional sports organizations today.
“He brings strong leadership skills, significant rugby expertise and a collaborative approach which we believe will be of great value to Munster Rugby.”
Lee added: “I am honored to be appointed as interim chief executive of Munster Rugby.
“While my professional career has taken me around the world, Ireland has been an important part of my own rugby journey.
“We have important challenges ahead of us, but I firmly believe there is also a huge opportunity.”
