PETE’S BACK ON HIS FEET

RASSIE ERASMUS is confident that captain Peter O’mahony can shake off injury in time to lead his side against Leicester Tigers in the Champions Cup this Saturday.

O’mahony (above) has complained of a stiff back since being taken off 57 minutes into his side’s Pro12 win against Glasgow last weekend but his coach is hopeful the Ireland back row can feature in the Thomond Park clash.

South African centre Jaco Taute (ribs) and Duncan Williams (shoulder) both picked up knocks at Scotstoun but Erasmus is confident they will also be available.

Erasmus added: “Duncan Williams got a little bit of a shoulder knock but none of them should be a doubt for this weekend.”

Tyler Bleyendaal’s ankle issue has improved too after he sat out last weekend while the arrival of Francis Saili on the training pitch for the first time this season is a timely boost.

Taute has been a vital cog in the Munster midfield but with him set to depart the province on December 31, Saili’s return is welcomed.

Erasmus said: “We want to keep Taute but he was only a replacement for Francis and is definitely going on.

“Francis will train today on the field for the first time and he will hopefully be available for the week of the Leinster game if everything goes according to plan.

“Tyler should be fit. Last weekend there was a bit of a niggle so that’s why we took him out of it. He’ll be available.

“Then obviously Keith Earls and the other international guys will be available too.”