Tough task to replace de Villiers, says Payne

MUNSTER manager Shaun Payne last night admitted the province face a ‘difficult’ task in finding a replacement for Jean de Villiers due to the looming Rugby World Cup.

De Villiers announced Monday he is to return to South Africa next season in an effort to keep alive his dreams of playing in their title defence next season.

Finding suitable replacements from the southern hemisphere will be extremely difficult given most players would put hopes of securing national selection for the global showpiece in New Zealand ahead of any potential experience and profit to be gained from a sojourn overseas.