Johann van Graan has had an unenviable start to his Munster coaching career, finding headaches regardless of what direction he looks. His squad has been decimated by injury: Simon Zebo may be fit for the weekend, but Jaco Taute, Chris Farrell, Tyler Blyendaal, and Keith Earls are not. Added to that, he has had to immediately confront the possibility that CJ Stander and Peter O'Mahony may not renew their contracts, and be ensconced in opposing camps from next season.
And amid all of this, he faces back-to-back ties against Leicester Tigers which will likely eliminate one of the sides involved from contention for the quarter-finals.
As the Van Graan era readies for take-off, Neil Francis of the Irish Independent is using the final few moments before it does so to reflect on the brief reign of Rassie Erasmus. Francis channels his inner-Dunphy as he says that Erasmus has proved himself as a good, if not great coach.
Where he is unequivocal in his criticism, however, is regarding the timing of Erasmus' decision to leave Thomond Park, claiming that Erasmus has left Munster "in the shit".
Jumping ship mid-season is unforgivable. I find that the politics of the better offer are reprehensible. The conventional excuse that all is fair in modern professional sport is pretty risible. Forget about what the contract does or does not state - Erasmus left Munster in the shit.
Word, bond, loyalty, team - they are all buzzwords and punchlines!
Where Francis writes about "what the contract does or does not state" likely refers to the six-month notice clause in the contracts of provincial coaches which allows them to break contract once they give the Union adequate notice.
His full column can be read in today's Irish Independent.
