Munster have been rocked by the loss of Jaco Taute for virtually the rest of the season after the South African Test centre underwent knee surgery yesterday.

Rassie Erasmus has defended his position in the midst of an apparent tug of war over the services of his touted replacement as Munster’s director of rugby.

Munster boss Rassie Erasmus hailed departing Donnacha Ryan as “10 times more a Munster man than I'll ever be” after the Ireland lock helped his native province reach next week's Guinness Pro12 final today.

Rassie Erasmus struck gold when he captured Jaco Taute on a short-term loan from the Stormers, but is it too much to expect Jean Deysel to make a similar impact during his limited time at Munster?

It was always going to happen, acknowledged Munster director of rugby Rassie Erasmus yesterday, as he reviewed his side’s weekend defeat against the Scarlets. 

It says plenty about Rory Scannell’s form this season and his immense contribution to Munster’s run of form that he has kept his place in the centre ahead of Springbok Jaco Taute and Francis Saili, an All Black.

Rassie Erasmus yesterday insisted a six month extension of Jaco Taute’s contract has still not been agreed between Munster, the IRFU and Western Province. The deal must be struck by midnight on Saturday, but it looks a near certainty to be completed.

Niall Scannell spoke for the entire Munster dressing room when he derided descriptions of the Leinster team they defeated on Monday evening as second string.

Munster appear to be moving closer to tying down Springbok centre Jaco Taute for the rest of the season with director of rugby Rassie Erasmus suggesting an extension to his loan deal was a matter of “crossing the t’s and dotting the i’s”.

IRFU performance director David Nucifora insists Johnny Sexton will not be rushed back to action until he is 100% fit.

The clock may be ticking but there is still no definite news on whether South African centre Jaco Taute will be available to Munster in 2017. His temporary contract comes to an end on January 1st so a decision as to whether his stay with Munster can be extended must be made imminently.

Munster management will wait until after Saturday’s Champions Cup showdown at Leicester before deciding whether to press for an extension of Jaco Taute’s contract.

Rassie Erasmus believes keeping Springbok centre Jaco Taute at Munster beyond his short-term contract could be a possibility.

Eddie Jones has responded to Michael Cheika’s claim he has damaged his legacy in Australia by declaring opinions mean nothing to him.

Contrary to popular belief, Keith Earls insists he is neither a temperamental baby throwing his toys out of the pram nor a cranky old character mired in his own inflexibility.

ROOKIE Springbok winger Jaco Pretorius has showered Irish captain Brian O’Driscoll with praise ahead of tomorrow’s Test at Lansdowne Road (5pm).

South Africa fly-half Jaco van der Westhuyzen has been declared fit to play in tomorrow’s Test against Ireland at Lansdowne Road.

MARTIN JOHNSON has saluted Wasps’ Heineken Cup and Zurich Premiership double last season - but is after a trophy for Leicester this season.

Blue Bulls fullback Jaco van der Westhuyzen has been called into the Springbok squad following the serious injury suffered by centre Jean de Villiers.

Springbok coach Rudolf Straeuli has made two changes to his starting XV for Saturday’s second Test against Scotland in Johannesburg.