Anthony Foley tetchy on questions about new Munster partnership

It was Rassie Erasmus’s charisma as much as his excellent CV that convinced Garrett Fitzgerald he was the right man to become Munster’s first director of rugby. 

Judging by the reaction of Anthony Foley to the South African’s appointment yesterday on a three-year deal that will commence this July 1, the former Springbok captain will apparently need to use buckets of the stuff to convince the head coach there is a future for the relationship.

On a landmark day in the last throes of a dismal season for the province, Foley was effectively demoted to the role of backroom staff member for his third year as head coach, as Munster turned the page and looked forward to a new chapter with the 43-year-old Erasmus at the helm.