Sport

Rassie Erasmus delighted as Munster rout Leicester Tigers

  Simon Zebo crosses for Munster’s first try
  Simon Zebo crosses for Munster’s first try   Simon Zebo crosses for Munster’s first try

European Champions Cup Pool One: Munster 39 Leicester Tigers 0

MUNSTER director of rugby Rassie Erasmus was proud of how his charges played in demolishing Champions Cup rivals Leicester 38-0 at Thomond Park.

The in-form province stayed top of Pool One after picking up a precious try-scoring bonus point in the emphatic victory over the Aviva Premiership side, who had claimed a home-and-away double over Munster in the pool stages last season.

South African centre Jaco Taute bagged a brace of second-half tries, with Simon Zebo touching down in the first half, while Munster were also awarded a 71stminute penalty try which saw full-back George Worth become the third Leicester player to be sin-binned.

The Tigers, licking their wounds after a record European loss, do at least have next Saturday’s rematch at Welford Road to get their teeth into.

Erasmus said: “With the quality of players in the Leicester side and them beating us last season home and away, we were a bit nervous about the whole game and we never thought about getting five points out of it – our aim was always to win the game, so it is an absolute bonus to get the fourth try at the end.

“They are a team we respect so much. They have brilliant individuals, are really well coached, so we are really happy with the performance, but I’m sure when we wake up (on Sunday) morning we know we have to go over there in a week’s time. We won’t get carried away.

“It will be a tough challenge (next Saturday). We are under no illusions.”