Munster Rugby’s fate now in the hands of Rassie Erasmus

Chief executive Garrett Fitzgerald ushered in a new era for Munster Rugby by insisting incoming director of rugby Johan “Rassie” Erasmus would not undermine existing head coach Anthony Foley.

Yet the prickly demeanour yesterday of Foley, whose third season in the job next term is assured but will see him no longer pick the team he has coached in the previous two, nor have a coaching staff of his choosing, suggested the South African’s arrival in the province this July will not be met with unconfined joy.

“I would think if you fellas would like to think he is undermined, you could think he is,” Fitzgerald said yesterday. “But from the discussions I have had with him, and they have been long, honest, and straight on the thing itself, you can get that perception. He could have that himself, but I don’t think so.”