Injury issues remain for Munster

Munster director of rugby Rassie Erasmus still has more questions than answers surrounding the make-up and fitness of his squad as he attempts to prepare his players for Saturday’s Guinness Pro12 opener at Scarlets.

The former Cheetahs and Stormers boss, brought in this summer from the South African Rugby Union to return Munster to Europe’s elite, will embark on his debut campaign with the Irish province this weekend minus his biggest overseas star in Francis Saili — waiting for news from the IRFU over signing cover for the twice-capped All Black centre — and with a number of other injury issues throughout the rest of his playing group.

Tight-head prop Stephen Archer is the latest worry, the Cork man waiting for results expected last night on the severity of a neck problem that will definitely rule the front rower out of this weekend’s trip to Llanelli for a tough opening assignment at Parc y Scarlets.