Erasmus already taking a back seat

Rassie Erasmus has broken his silence on the decision to quit Munster and return to South Africa, but when exactly that will be and who replaces him remain up in the air as the new season approaches.

The director of rugby was quoted at length on the Munster website yesterday and the 44-year old has already initiated the process of stepping back and letting Felix Jones and Jerry Flannery, both of whom are staying on, take greater control of the operation. That includes the approach to recruitment.

“My opinion will be asked if I know the guy, if I coached against the guy,” said Erasmus who is due to return home with his defence coach Jacques Nienaber in December.: “That would be the level of my involvement. I will not be sitting in on any interviews.”