IRFU chief warns there will be no more Munster bailouts

The financial bailout provided to Munster has come with a warning from the IRFU’s chief executive Philip Browne that union will not foot the bill for any future mismanagement.

The province qualified for the Champions Cup on the final day of the season to provide a silver lining to a wretched campaign where Munster were hit by injuries to key players, struggled to compete in Europe and saw attendances fall at Thomond.

There have been red faces off the pitch, too, with the ham-fisted way the appointment of Rassie Erasmus as director of rugby was announced, which left head coach Anthony Foley and captain CJ Stander in an awkward position at a media event. At the same gathering, Munster CEO Garrett Fitzgerald, who will oversee an expected loss of €2.3m this season, was bullish about his handling of the organisation and dismissive when questioned about his own future.