Munster head coach Clayton McMillan has praised interim CEO Avan Lee for his “brave statement” following the decision to dismiss the citing complaint against Tadhg Furlong.

Lee publicly backed Gavin Coombes after an independent disciplinary committee unanimously concluded that Furlong had not committed an act of foul play during last weekend’s meeting between Leinster and Munster.

Coombes had alleged that his testicles were grabbed at a ruck approaching half-time. The referee and TMO found no evidence to support an on-field sanction, with Furlong subsequently cited under Law 9.27.

While dismissing the complaint, the committee also stated that Coombes had given “an honest account of his recollection of events surrounding the incident.”

Munster responded by reaffirming their support for Coombes, with Lee criticising “unhelpful commentary from people with a clear influence over public opinion.”

Speaking after Munster’s defeat to the Sharks, McMillan endorsed the CEO’s intervention and praised how Coombes had handled a difficult week.

“To be perfectly honest, I applaud Avan,” McMillan said.

“He’s new to the job, and it was a brave statement, but an accurate one. I couldn’t have been more impressed with how Gavin has conducted himself over the course of the week.”

McMillan said Munster respected the disciplinary process while continuing to stand behind their number eight.

“A huge amount of pressure, but he’s spoken his truth, and we back him one hundred per cent. And obviously the decision didn’t go his way, and we respect the process, but it doesn’t change what he knows and what we feel about it.”

The comments came after a disappointing 15-3 home defeat to the Sharks, leaving Munster facing a lengthy break before their next URC fixture.

McMillan admitted his side had struggled to match the visitors physically, describing them as being “a little bit outhustled and a little bit outmuscled at times.”

The head coach believes the November pause offers an opportunity to assess their opening run of results.

“We get an opportunity to reflect now and just take stock of where we’re at. You look at the table, and we’re certainly not happy with where we’re at.”

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