Munster Set To Begin Van Graan Era
Munster Rugby and the IRFU have confirmed that Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber have completed their time at the province and are returning to South Africa.
The coaching duo spent a successful 16 months in Munster and helped the province to the final of last season’s GUINNESS PRO12 along with a semi-final appearance in the Champions Cup.
The departure follows a thorough handover process with Johann van Graan which saw the incoming head coach meet up with the Munster coaches on a number of occasions and spend a full week with the coaching team ahead of the Champions Cup victory over Racing 92 at Thomond Park last month.
With no game this weekend, the Munster squad will return to training on Wednesday following a down week.
Van Graan takes the reins next week ahead of the GUINNESS PRO14 game away to Zebre.
Meanwhile, seven Munster players featured for Ireland in the record 38-3 win over South Africa on Saturday, with Andrew Conway scoring his first international try as Darren Sweetnam made his Ireland debut. Peter O’Mahony, CJ Stander, Conor Murray and Conway all started for the hosts with John Ryan, Dave Kilcoyne and Sweetnam coming on off the bench.
Ryan presented with a calf injury following the four-try victory at the Aviva Stadium and will rehab in Munster this week. Keith Earls (hamstring) and Tommy O’Donnell (shoulder) missed out after picking up injuries in training. Earls has started rehab with Munster following a hamstring tear and O’Donnell is progressing well with his rehab having sprained his AC joint.
James Cronin and Brian Scott started for the Barbarians in their win over Tonga at Thomond Park on Friday night. Cronin was replaced after 10 minutes due to a calf muscle tear and has started rehab.
Versatile back rower Jack O’Donoghue is progressing well through rehab having sustained a minor ankle injury in Munster’s last outing against the Dragons in Cork.