Erasmus defends Taute re-signing

Rassie Erasmus insists Munster have not received preferential treatment from the Irish Rugby Football Union [IRFU] over the re-signing of South African centre Jaco Taute.

The IRFU prevented Ulster from extending the contract of South African scrum-half Ruan Pienaar, arguing that it blocked the pathway of Irish qualified players, but is set to allow Taute to sign a new short-term deal.

Taute joined Munster as cover in September on a three-month deal, following a pre-season shoulder injury to former All Black Francis Saili, but Munster director of rugby Erasmus says the IRFU is likely to sanction an extension because of the province's current injury crisis.

"Well, I’m not sure what the other provinces’ cases were," Erasmus said on Thursday

"Our one is a simple one. We got an injury, we got a stand-in and now we’ve got some more injuries so that’s how our one has been presented. I think it’s a very valid reason to try and do that. I can’t comment on the other guys.

Winger Darren Sweetman will be out for "two to three weeks" following a knee injury he sustained when tackled off the ball by Leinster’s Zane Kirchner in the St Stephen's Day Pro 12 derby at Thomond Park.

"We guess at least two or three weeks but I can’t say for certain because the consultant hasn’t looked at the scans yet," Erasmus said.

However, Erasmus says Andrew Conway, who replaced Sweetman against Leinster, could feature against Connacht at the Sportsground on New Year's Eve following an elbow injury.

"We thought at the beginning that it was a little bit more serious but actually there is still a chance of him playing this week," Erasmus continued.

"We’ll just check now after the training session so there’s a chance of him still playing."

Photo (Getty Images/ David Rogers)

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