The backrower had been undecided on his future beyond this summer following the disappointment of Irelands World Cup quarterfinal exit last October and there had been speculation that he and the Munster head coach had been at loggerheads during negotiations surrounding a new provincial contract Having captained Ireland in South Africa in July OMahony will not be available for Munster selection until October under IRFU player welfare rules but he was front and centre during an open training session in front of media at Thomond Park on Tuesday Speaking after that session Rowntree looked forward to his third season at the Munster helm beginning this Saturday with a URC opener against derby rivals Connacht Asked if he was a different head coach now than he had been when succeeding Johann van Graan in 2022 he voluntarily brought up the subject of the RowntreeOMahony falling out rumours Im more experienced yeah Ive been through some things that I hadnt with the injury crisis players retiring players coming off national contracts their negotiations What was the word that was used Innuendos Innuendos around Peter OMahony Its not easy And by the way on that we didnt fall out I didnt raise my voice once I raise my voice a lot in various contexts but Ive never raised my voice in any contract negotiations It just took a long time Its complicated that scenario was complicated but we got to a greater agreement Such is the climate in which Munster head coaches are asked to operate Another rumour which was circulating last season was whether South African World Cupwinning lock Jean Kleyn might not play again following an eye injury sustained in his first game back for Munster against Leinster last November following the World Cup and a subsequent knee surgery On Tuesday Rowntree was more than happy to welcome his longserving lock back to the selection mix When we were in South Africa I was addressing rumours that his injury was a lot worse than we were letting on We were in Cape Town we had to address that Hes very important to the group the work he does the minutes he plays the numbers he punches on the field the rucks he hits He has big ballast in terms of the second row and his game has really come on with Mike Prendergast attack coach coming onboard His softer skills that little sweep his handling He is good for the group We havent had him since last November in the Aviva that was his last game Delighted to have him around Such was Kleyns scarcity in red last season his potential return this Saturday was likened to the feeling of having a new signing while of the actual summer incomers Rowntree will have former Connacht centre Tom Farrell available to face his old club as well as flyhalf Billy Burns and exciting South African wing Thaakir Tucky Abrahams Only backthree addition Diarmuid Kilgallen is sidelined with a leg injury but the Munster boss described the backline quartets impact in preseason as very good Billy I remember speaking to him and saying it would be a crossroads for him He was 29 could kick on in his career From what Ive seen in training right from the early few days he pulls people along He has good communication he has trained well hes quick his little short kicking game suits us He has got a young family moved down and thrown himself into the environment into the club and the lads like him Hes not been perfect for us in the two outings no one has yet but from what Ive seen I expect him to be here a while if Im honest with you We got him and Im delighted we did some excellent business by the club Its a year deal but Id be keen to speak to him soon enough Of Abrahams Rowntree drew a comparison with an England World Cup winner Wow Wow Do you remember Jason Robinson dancing around people I remember playing against him and training with him and wow seeing him up close and the agility he had Well I feel the same with Tucky Thats his nickname Thaakir Abrahams just to see him up close his agility around the field and his movement Hes quick high ball skills and another one the lads have really taken him under their wing He had visa issues as a lot of South Africans are going to experience very quickly coming back to the country but was working away in 38 degrees in Lyon so I dont think he minded having visa troubles when the rain was lashing here in August And from what Im seeing early on Im excited Its that cutting edge that extra gear on the end of a pass that Im expecting to see wherever we pick him across the back three