This man has well and truly bought into what it is to be a Munster player.
Jaco Taute may end up only ever playing four months for Munster but his contribution will not be forgotten for quite a while.
The South African centre, it has been confirmed by Munster director of rugby Rassie Erasmus, will leave the province at the end of this year to return to Super Rugby side Stormers.
Taute has made five appearances for the club in Guinness PRO12 and Champions Cup action while he played 75 minutes in the memorable Thomond Park victory against the Maori All Blacks.
He has three tries for Munster, so far, with the pick of the bunch coming in the emotional, visceral Champions Cup triumph over Glasgow Warriors that proved such a fitting farewell to former coach Anthony Foley.
Francis Saili is hoping to be back on the pitch by the end of this year so that should soften Taute’s departure. A long-term target has been identified and, Munster hope, should be acquired in the coming months.
Erasmus told reporters, on Wednesday, that there had been discussions with former Ulster centre Chris Farrell about a move.
Farrell has been with Grenoble since 2014 and has had a number of fine outings for them in the Top 14 and Challenge Cup. The Ireland U20 international would come back under Joe Schmidt’s radar, too, by returning to play his club rugby in Ireland.
Dick Clerkin makes his GAA Hour debut to talk about a wonderful career and argue passionately with Colm Parkinson over Sky Sports GAA. Subscribe here on iTunes.
