Overview

• Rowntree was unveiled on August 26 to lead the Japan Rugby League One club.
• He succeeds Greig Laidlaw as the D-Rocks implement leadership changes under new president Hideki Takahashi.
• The club says the appointment is central to a strategic plan targeting championship contention by 2028.
• Urayasu finished bottom of Division One last season but retained top-flight status via a promotion/relegation playoff.
• The former Munster head coach, who won the URC in 2023 before departing last October, takes the role after Warren Gatland had been linked and says he aims to build a more competitive environment.