MUNSTER ARE PREPARING themselves to be without Jaco Taute for an extended period after the centre suffered knee ligament damage during Saturday’s Pro14 victory over Cardiff Blues.
The Springbok was stretchered off during the first half of the weekend’s clash with the Blues at Thomond Park and could now be ruled out for ‘months rather than weeks’, according to Rassie Erasmus.
Taute underwent a scan yesterday and is today visiting a specialist for further investigation but Erasmus is fearing the worst as he looks ahead to a crucial block of fixtures, which begins with Saturday’s interpro against Leinster at the Aviva Stadium.
“He’s not doing too good. He got that knee, probably ligament injury,” Erasmus said at this morning’s Champions Cup launch in Dublin.
“Got the scan yesterday and seeing the specialist today but I’m not expecting good news there. He’s the type of guy that if he goes off like that it won’t be weeks, I think it will be months.”
Taute had started his second season with the southern province promisingly and had formed an immediate partnership with new arrival Chris Farrell in the opening games of the campaign.
While admitting the loss of the 26-year-old represents a blow ahead of the start of the European pool stages, Erasmus pointed to the midfield options still available to him including JJ Hanrahan, Keith Earls and Tyler Bleyendaal who can all cover the position.
“He’s been good but Munster also made him good,” Erasmus said of Taute. “He wasn’t going through a great patch in South Africa and Munster helped him back to where he was.
“I think he’s going to be a long-term injury but we have Chris Farrell, JJ can play there, Rory [Scannell] had a great season, Earls can play there for us. It’s sad but Jaco is a tough guy and he will come back and better. He’ll contribute off the pitch and he is a loss.”
In more encouraging news, second row Jean Kleyn is progressing well in his recovery from the neck injury in sustained at Glasgow a fortnight ago and will be assessed by the province’s medical team as the week progresses.
Earls is expected to be in the fold for Saturday’s round six derby against Leinster but is unlikely to start having not played this season, while Jack O’Donoghue is available after completing his return to play protocols.
Looking ahead to the game against Leo Cullen’s side, Erasmus admitted it will be used as a ‘great training game’ ahead of Champions Cup games against Castres and Racing 92.
“The Leinster game we’re building into Europe, it was good to get that win [against Cardiff]. Wins build confidence so we were happy not to have more confidence away from that Cardiff game and now it’s a Pro14 game away to Leinster but after that it’s Europe.
“It’s going to be a great training match with physicality and intensity and the pressure we will experience. Hopefully we can use that going into Europe.
“I see is as a perfect preparation for Castres away and then home to Racing so it’s ideal. Pro14 doesn’t get won at this part of the season as Scarlets showed us this time last year. This is just a tough derby before Europe which we will try and win.”
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