Munster boss says there have been ‘formal and informal chats’ with South Africans

Rassie Erasmus has sent a shockwave through Munster Rugby by choosing not to unequivocally shoot down speculation he is in talks with South African Rugby about a return to his previous role as high performance manager in his homeland.

The coach became Munster’s first director of rugby last summer and, in signing a three-year contract, left behind his high-ranking role, the equivalent of which at the IRFU is held by David Nucifora as performance director.

His arrival has brought dividends in a remarkable campaign punctuated by the sudden death of head coach Anthony Foley. The province has rediscovered its mojo, has lost just four times this season, and had a ninth league win away from home at the weekend, which sees them sitting pretty in second place in the Guinness Pro12 with four rounds to go.