Jake White backs Rassie Erasmus to bring success to Munster

South Africa’s World Cup winning coach Jake White said he was never in the running to become Munster’s director of rugby.

White said that he is enjoying his time as head coach with Montpellier, where an infusion of South Africans has them bidding for glory in the Top 14 and Europe.

“No, there was never anything in that,” said White when asked if he was in contention to take over at Munster. “I have my hands full here,” said White, after his side defeated Dragons 22-12 in the Challenge Cup semi-final in Montpellier to set up a final with Quins on May 13.

White said that his South African compatriot Rassie Erasmus would be a great appointment at Munster if, as expected, appointed. “Rassie has coached at a high level and has been running the rugby programme in South Africa. You have David Nucifora, an Australian, running the national set-up, with Rassie from South Africa adding another dimension. So you will have a Kiwi as head coach, an Aussie running the national programme and a South African running it in Munster. That brings a lot of experience for Ireland.”