IN THE WAKE of Munster’s heart-breaking semi-final loss to Saracens today, Niall Scannell found solace in the words of encouragement from director of rugby Rassie Erasmus and the knowledge that he will continue to lead the southern province.

The South African has been the subject of intense speculation as his success with Munster draws attention from his homeland. However, the hooker says that Erasmus’ situation was clarified for the squad in recent weeks and he will be around to sustain Munster’s rapid rate of progress next season.

“There’s been a lot speculation,” Scannell said in the Aviva Stadium this afternoon,”but he clarified to us a few weeks ago. And I’ll be honest with you, at the time it was reassuring to hear, because himself, Jacques (Nienhaber), Felix (Jones) and Fla (Jerry Flannery), they’re a top quality coaching ticket and they’ve done so much for us. Obviously Axel had a big hand in that, but if you just look at the turnaround we’ve had in 9 – 10 months.

I can’t speak highly enough for what a good coach Rassie is. It’s brilliant that he’s staying around.

“It’s brilliant for our club and it’s brilliant for Irish rugby. The confidence its given us, it’s something I haven’t had from a coach before.

“He comes into the changing room afterwards saying: ‘look, they’re further along their curve and they were the better team today’. You trust him and you believe that we will evolve and we will get there and that’s hugely reassuring that he’s staying around.”