LAST UPDATE | 13 Nov 2017
THE IRFU AND Munster today confirmed that Munster coaches Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber have completed their time with the province after just over 16 months in Ireland.
The director of rugby and defence coach have returned to their native South Africa to take up posts with the Springboks next year.
Incoming head coach Johann van Graan, who is part of under-fire ‘Boks coach Allister Coetzee’s backroom team, will take the reins in the southern province next week ahead of the Pro14 trip to take on Zebre.
Today’s statement says there has been a ‘thorough handover process’ including Van Graan’s presence in Limerick leading up the Champions Cup win over Racing 92 before he returned to work with South Africa for Saturday’s Test against Ireland and next weekend’s clash with France in Paris.
“It’s not something I want to say to sound cheesy or that I’m sucking up,” Erasmus told Donal Lenihan in an interview for Against the Head on RTE 2 this evening.
“People (in Munster) are just really good and want to help one another. Even the supporters, I’m not sure what it was like the previous year, but people don’t walk off the stands before the game is over. They sit until the end, they support you.
“Not just in rugby, one of the characteristics of Irish people is friendly: ‘can I help you?’ ‘Are you okay?’ And that’s one of the things I’m going to try to put into my life.”
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Can’t help but wonder what if Ferris was still playing that would be a frightening back row.
True. Ferris would be an upgrade on Stander
Two bulldozers! Only one more sleep lads
Can’t wait to see them 3 get stuck in and cause complete mayhem
CJ and SOB are gona tear the frogs a new arsehole
When u think o mahony and Henderson has to come back into this squad,and Wat they both bring to De table,and with the quality ireland have right across all back positions now,and De quality coming through,irish rugby is definitely, at international level,in a great place..
Shame that knob jockey pape won’t be playing. We won’t get to see Seanie give him a cuddle!
Thought ruddock was on bench not TOD?
There was some confusion yesterday but it is the TOD.
It shows the quality we have in the back row when Ruddock can’t get in the 23.
Or when POM isn’t missed. (Tactically, personally we still miss him)
Disagree with that, I am biased against Munster and despite that I think he is arguably Ireland’s best forward – he is always immense when he plays for Ireland – I don’t think Stander, Henry or O’Donnell can match him
I’m a huge POM fan and really think he adds something extra. But if we lose we won’t be saying “of only Peter had been playing”. His replacement doesn’t fall THAT far short.
Just consider for a moment Henderson playing at 6 along with Stander at 8 and O’Brien at 7.
That would be the dream combination
Just need to find pace on the Inge and power in the second row and then we have a team to be feared
I’d have Henderson at second row. Completely fills the position but the advantage of another back row in the loose.
You’d sort of be missing Heaslip at 8 there, lad
Can’t wait for an ireland win..