Rassie Erasmus dismisses suggestion he might leave Munster

Rassie Erasmus has dismissed any suggestion he might be leaving Munster and heading back to South Africa to take over from beleaguered Springboks' coach Allister Coetzee.

The director of rugby put to bed any notion that he is being lined up for a return to his native country and confirmed that his future is with Munster, where he is in the first of a three-year deal.

Just over a fortnight ago his lawyer back in South Africa, Frikkie Erasmus, told media there that reports linking the 36-times Springbok with a return home.

On Monday, Erasmus, speaking at a media briefing in Limerick, confirmed that his future is with Munster, who he has guided to top of the Pro12 and into the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup since taking over in the summer.

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“There is so much speculation with things normally at this time of the year with players, but I just think the South African set-up is obviously going through a little bit of a rough patch which they will definitely get out of, I am pretty sure they will.

“When that happens there is always a lot of speculation around different coaches. I am definitely not in the mix there.”

Juggling

He has enough on his plate to deal with at the moment with 14 of his players away with the Ireland squad, while a couple of the young players, Bill Johnston and Calvin Nash, are juggling duty with the Irish Under-20s and Munster.

Erasmus, who is preparing for a Pro12 clash with the Dragons in Cork on Friday evening, said that while some players may return from the national set-up he was working on the basis that he might have none of them.

And he said he was pleased that Ian Keatley's form had been rewarded with a call-up as the uncertainty around Jonathan Sexton continues.

“We are planning with the idea that we are getting nobody back. That’s the best way to do it because you’re never quite sure with guys doing fitness tests. Their major training session is on Tuesday so we will train with the mind that we have none of them available.

“Ian has done well for us this year. He himself told me that he went through a rough season last year and so it was nice that he won games for us this year with drop goals and important penalties.

“He has helped out at fullback, at 12, even 9. He’s a guy who is always positive and I’m always happy when a player gets an opportunity like this,” added Erasmus.