Jerry Flannery: It’s business as usual for Munster despite Rassie Erasmus news

Jerry Flannery has insisted Munster’s pre-season preparations have not been undermined by the impending departure of director of rugby Rassie Erasmus.

Munster kick off the new and expanded Guinness PRO14 on Friday evening in Cork against Treviso, having reached last season’s PRO12 final against the odds, following last October’s sudden death of head coach Anthony Foley.

Yet, hopes for a less turbulent 2017-18 campaign were dashed at the start of pre-season when Munster confirmed that Erasmus and compatriot Jacques Nienaber, the defence coach, would be departing in December to return to their homeland with the South African Rugby Union.