Rugby

Munster’s Irish-qualified centre Antoine Frisch declares intention to play for France

Frisch joined province in bid to play for Ireland but has opted to declare for country of his birth

Munster's Antoine Frisch has declared his intention to play for France. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho

Nathan Johns
Thu Apr 4 2024 - 14:47

Antoine Frisch has declared his intention to play for France, casting his Munster future into doubt.

The French-born centre moved to Munster two years ago from Bristol. He had previously stated his intention to play for Ireland, for whom he qualified through his grandmother.

Despite touring with Emerging Ireland to South Africa in 2022, Frisch’s international eligibility remained undecided since that side did not act as Ireland’s ‘capture’ team. During Six Nations, the 27-year-old was called into Fabien Galthié’s France squad but did not see any game time.

Speaking to L’Équipe, Frisch confirmed that he has had a change of heart on his international future. “I have been in contact with Fabien Galthié for a long time and this contact has never been interrupted,” he said. “From the moment I was called into the France group, it became very clear to me. I want to play for France.

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“It’s where I grew up, I had a Les Bleus poster on the walls of my room as a child.”

France are set to tour Argentina this summer with a development squad, a move which could allow Frisch to make his international debut.

Antoine Frisch previously played for Emerging Ireland. Photograph: Johan Pretorius/Gallo Images

Should he become non-Irish qualified, (NIQ), Frisch’s future at Munster will be called into question given the presence of New Zealand-born centre Alex Nankivell on Munster’s books. IRFU policy is that only one NIQ player in any given position can be in a province’s squad.

Faced with a similar dilemma earlier this year with Jean Kleyn and RG Snyman after the former was capped by South Africa, Munster opted not to extend Snyman’s deal beyond this season. He subsequently signed for Leinster.

Frisch’s Munster contract has another year left to run after this season, while Nankivell is in the first of a two-year deal.

Nathan Johns

Nathan Johns

Nathan Johns is an Irish Times journalist

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