Early days but Erasmus can be pleased as clock ticks on tenure

There will be more searching examinations this season of Munster’s Guinness PRO14 title credentials than those posed by Benetton Rugby last Friday in Cork but as opening-night performances go, there was much from which Rassie Erasmus could take pleasure.

With a try bonus point in the bag just 31 minutes into the new campaign, the essential object of the exercise was accomplished comfortably in what would be a five-try first half at Musgrave Park.

There will be disappointment Munster dropped off in intensity after the interval yet in dispatching a surprisingly tame Treviso side 34-3 to take maximum points, Erasmus was satisfied his final campaign as director of rugby got off to an encouraging start.