Wessels coy on Munster job as Wycherley hit with ban

THE favourite for the Munster head coach’s role Dave Wessels yesterday refused to rule himself in or out of the job when contacted by an Australian newspaper.

The South African is expected to be appointed as Rassie Erasmus’s successor in the coming week, but has also been linked to the vacant job at the Melbourne Rebels since his role at the Western Force came to an end when they were disbanded.

The IRFU have said they are close to revealing the identity of the new Thomond Park supremo. Wessels was in Limerick last week to meet with the province for the second time.

Wessels has a long-standing relationship with Erasmus who is returning to South Africa but is likely to remain during a transition period.

FORMALISED

“Have not formalised any decision yet. Will do so in next couple of days,” Wessels told the ‘Sydney Morning Herald’.

Meanwhile, Erasmus will be without young lock Fineen Wycherley for three weeks after he was hit with a suspension yesterday.

The 20-year-old was shown a red card by Nigel Owens with four minutes remaining in Saturday’s heavy loss to Glasgow Warriors when he was found to have struck Tim Swinson with his elbow.

The Welsh referee’s decision was upheld at a hearing in North Wales yesterday which Wycherley appeared at via video link.

The strike was found to have been reckless rather than intentional and the initial six-week ban was reduced to three on account of his good record and lack of intent.

Elsewhere, Edinburgh’s Michele Rizzo was banned for four weeks and misses tomorrow’s clash with Leinster.