Thank you.

Outgoing Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus has paid tribute to Munster and their fans at today’s PRO14 launch, and has promised them that he will no doubt be replaced by a ”world class’ coach.

Erasmus has been blow away with how Munster fans have taken his decision to leave, and thanked them for their kind words. Most have wished him well and stating maybe he’ll end up back in Limerick someday

“My first one would be ‘Thank You’ because most of them [supporters] have been saying get stuck in there and have a good season, have a good transition or hope you go better than last season.

“Or congratulating me on the new job, hope it goes well and ‘one day we might see you back’. That was the vibe most of the time.”

Erasmus has never walked out on a contract and fells terrible with how things panned out. Ultimately though, the lure of a national contract with his home nations was simply too much.

“I know there must be some that are thinking that I’m dropping them halfway into the season. I certainly felt like that.

“I’ve never walked out of a contract, but I’ve never had the opportunity to walk out of a contract into a national contract.”

He has also guaranteed the Munster faithful that a ‘world class’ coach will be lured to Limerick.

“I’m sure most coaches would look at that and back that but, look, the supporters make the club. New coaches will come in but the supporters make the club.

“When they see a full Aviva, Thomond or Irish Independent Park in red, the supporters make the club. That is why Munster will get, easily, a world-class coach into the club.”