Hyland takes over from Pat Cross who is taking a break representative coaching although he fully intends staying involved at other levels. Cross was coach to the Munster squad for the past four seasons and for three of those he also assistant coach to the national U21 side. Munster Chief Executive Garrett Fitzgerald paying tribute to work done said, "Pat Cross did a superb job for Munster at what is a very important level and on behalf of Munster rugby I would like to thank him for his hard work and commitment to the Under 21 squad." During his tenure with Munster he oversaw the emergence of players such Mossie Lawlor, Jeremy Staunton, Denis Leamy, Donncha O'Callaghan, Paul O'Connell and Mick O'Driscoll, who today are all fully contracted to the senior side.

The seamless structure that is in place sees Hyland assume overall charge of the squad having spent two seasons as assistant to Cross while Phillip Danagher steps up to be assistant coach after working last season with the Munster U21 management in an advisory capacity - along with Tom Murphy (Cork Con)- a role that involved the identification of possible players for the Under 21s. Murphy continues in that role with Mick Lynch (Bruff) taking over from Danagher.