Shame on Erasmus after messy exit from Munster

WHEN Saracens knocked them out of the Champions’ Cup in Dublin three months ago, Munster found comfort in assurances that Rassie Erasmus would not be rushing back home to South Africa. Despite rumours to the contrary, he would be staying to see out the two remaining years of his contract as Munster’s director of rugby.

It seemed he had left the players in no doubt. In the immediate aftermath of their anti-climactic semifinal, hooker Niall Scannell said: “He’s told the players he’s staying. It’s brilliant.’’

And two days later, when asked whether he was ‘definitely staying’, Erasmus said: “Yes.’’

An open-and-shut case, except for one thing. Erasmus had by then given his employers, the IRFU, notice to quit. Contractual obligations required nine months’ notice of Erasmus’ wish to leave at the end of the year.

IRFU chief executive Philip Browne has confirmed that such notice was given in March, a month before Erasmus said he would be staying put. There are times when some people in the game give the impression that they don’t know whether they are coming or going…