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.

BJ Botha and Denis Hurley headlined a list of departing players from Munster as plans for life under incoming director of rugby Rassie Erasmus continue to take shape.

Ulster are delicately managing their players through a potentially difficult season, as Director of Rugby Les Kiss starts with Rob Herring at hooker and captain in place of Rory Best for this evening’s crucial Guinness Pro12 clash with an in-form Edinburgh side at the Kingspan Stadium.

Munster 65 Sale 10: European Champions Cup Pool 1: We are used to seeing Munster inflict a round-six rout in Europe but usually it is borne of necessity.

Stunned Munster supporters watching their side forfeit a 13 point lead and eventually lose 24-16 to the hosts departed the Galway Sportsground on Thursday night wondering how Connacht were able to draft in such influential players as All Black legend Mils Muliaina and another Kiwi, Bundee Aki, while their own side have to settle for virtual unknowns from the Southern Hemisphere.

Munster’s midfield new boy Pat Howard praised the contribution of centre partner Denis Hurley as he celebrated victory over his province’s arch-rivals Leinster.

Munster head coach Anthony Foley yesterday added new centre signing Pat Howard to the province’s registered European Champions Cup squad as doubts continued over Andrew Smith’s fitness ahead of Saturday’s must-win pool showdown with Clermont Auvergne.

GUINNESS PRO12:

New Munster loanee Pat Howard will be a man on a mission when he makes his home debut against Ulster on Friday night, looking to impress his coaches on two continents.

GUINNESS PRO12:

French newspaper reports Paul O’Connell will end his career with French 2nd division club Pau after the 2015 Rugby World Cup came as a bombshell yesterday to his team-mates and Ireland and Munster fans.

Munster’s personnel issues in midfield have prompted the signing of the young and inexperienced South African centre Pat Howard on a three-month contract from Western Province.

Munster have signed South African player Pat Howard on a three-month contract, to provide cover in the centre.

When South Africa captain Jean de Villiers lines up against Ireland today, he will have almost 100 caps and 12 years of experience on his direct opponents.

Munster coach Colm McMahon is confident South Africans CJ Stander and Gerhard Van Den Heever will play key roles when they take on powerful opposition in the inaugural Limerick World Club 7s at Thomond Park on August 9-10.

RABO DIRECT PRO12:

Munster have unearthed a new head of fitness - in Perpignan.

Munster head coach Rob Penney wants his players to hit the ground running this week as they prepare for the return of Heineken Cup action to Thomond Park on Sunday.

Munster look set to welcome Keith Earls back from injury for Friday’s RaboDirect Pro12 game at Newport Gwent Dragons with coach Rob Penney also considering a debut for new signing Gerhard van den Heever.

Wealthy French club Toulon have signed South Africa star Bryan Habana on a three-year deal.

Luke Fitzgerald has finally signed a deal to keep him at Heineken Cup champions Leinster despite not having his contract with the Irish Rugby Football Union renewed.

Niall O'Connor will join Ulster after an agreement was made to release him early from his two-year Connacht contract.

Ulster’s former Natal Sharks and Springbok full-back, Stefan Terblanche believes the Irish provinces will remain an attractive proposition for overseas players even if the IRFU sticks to its plan to squeeze the influx of non-Irish qualified talent.

Coach Mike Ruddock praised his men for maintaining their composure and seeing off the challenge of a weak Scotland side at Dubarry Park last night to set up a Grand Slam decider away to England next Friday.

GERT SMAL and Nick Mallett’s careers have been intertwined for more than 30 years and Ireland’s forwards coach knows enough about the Italy boss to suggest his fellow South African will “do anything” to get his way on the rugby pitch.

South Africa 57 Ireland 15

South Africa coach Peter de Villiers has named six uncapped players in his preliminary 49-man squad for their World Cup defence.

IRELAND U20s captain Niall Annett insists victory over South Africa tonight (7.10pm Irish time) will erase the pain of their agonising 33-25 defeat to England in their IRB Junior World Championship opener on Friday.

CHRIS HENRY is determined that Ulster continue where they left off against Cardiff Blues last week and continue their quest for Magners League glory.

South Africa coach Peter de Villiers has made two changes for Saturday’s Test against England, following last week’s 21-17 defeat by Scotland.

SOUTH AFRICA captain Victor Matfield will take comfort in familiarity if not experience when he leads the world champions out to take on Ireland at the Aviva Stadium tomorrow (5.30pm).

South Africa coach Peter De Villiers has announced his side that will face Ireland in the opening game of the 2010 Guinness series at the Aviva stadium on Saturday.

IRELAND coach Declan Kidney yesterday refused to be drawn into the IRFU ticketing debate but said his side has a bigger responsibility than ever to perform, no matter how many people turn up at the Aviva Stadium this Saturday.

Prop Gurthro Steenkamp has been named the South African Player of the Year for 2010.

SOUTH AFRICA coach Peter de Villiers has been forced to delay naming his team to face Ireland at the weekend until Thursday.

Allister Coetzee insists there is no truth in reports of a planned coup involving himself and Jake White aimed at toppling national coach Peter de Villiers.

JAKE WHITE is desperate to oust South Africa coach Peter de Villiers, even on an interim basis, and has revealed that contact with his former employers over the role has already been made.

JEAN DE VILLIERS last night laid it on the line.

SOUTH AFRICAN star Jean de Villiers will make his Munster debut against Newport Gwent Dragons at Musgrave Park on Sunday week.

SCHALK BURGER has been recalled to the South Africa squad for the next stage of their Tri-Nations campaign, following the eight-week ban he picked up during the British and Irish Lions tour of the country.

MUNSTER marquee signing, Jean de Villiers, is eligible to play for South Africa when he joins up with the two-time Heineken Cup champions next month.

It is thought likely that Munster's new signing centre Jean de Villiers will return home to challenge for inclusion in the Springbok squad for the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.

MUNSTER’S status as one of Europe’s leading attractions for the world’s best players was confirmed yesterday when Springbok centre, Jean de Villiers, agreed terms to join the two-time Heineken Cup champions.

British and Irish Lions lock Nathan Hines faces a disciplinary hearing tomorrow after being cited for alleged foul play.