Rassie Erasmus rolls with the punches

After as comprehensive a defeat as Munster suffered at the hands of a rampant and quite brilliant Scarlets in Dublin on Saturday, it would be easy to rant and rave about the shortcomings exposed in this heavy Guinness PRO12 final loss.

After all, this was the second time in five weekends that the province’s supporters have travelled to the Aviva Stadium in huge numbers and seen their beloved side outclassed, outmuscled and outwitted by a more sophisticated brand of rugby.

Munster director of rugby Rassie Erasmus offered no excuses when his players went down in last month’s Champions Cup semi-final to eventual back-to-back champions Saracens and the sense of déjà vu extended beyond the playing field as the South African once again offered logic rather than apologies to the vast majority of the 44,558 who applauded their beaten heroes at full time.