Rugby

Antoine Frisch to leave Munster for Toulon

Despite qualifying for Ireland, the France-born centre moves to the Top 14 in a bid to earn a cap for the country of his birth

Munster's Antoine Frisch will join Toulon at the end of the season. Photograph: Ben Brady/Inpho

Nathan Johns
Fri May 24 2024 - 15:51

Munster have confirmed that centre Antoine Frisch will leave the province and join Toulon at the end of the current season.

Frisch, who joined Munster from Bristol in 2022, leaves Thomond Park amidst speculation that he will be capped by France on their summer tour of South America. If he does make an international debut, he will become non-Irish qualified. With New Zealand-born Alex Nankivell also on Munster’s books, it was widely expected that Frisch would depart this year to avoid two NIQs playing in the same position group.

Frisch originally joined Munster with a view to playing for Ireland, for whom he qualifies through his grandmother. He earned a spot on the 2022 Emerging Ireland tour of South Africa but could not force his way into Andy Farrell’s plans for the senior team with a number of centres ahead of him in the pecking order.

During the recent Six Nations, France, the country of Frisch’s birth, called him up to train with Fabien Galthié's squad. He was not capped on that occasion, but once it emerged that we was on the country’s radar, Frisch opted to pursue playing for Les Bleus.

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The 28-year-old has made 39 Munster appearances in almost two years, scoring nine tries. He started last year’s successful URC final victory over the Stormers.

Munster have already announced the signing of centre Tom Farrell from Connacht to replace Frisch in their wider squad.

Nathan Johns

Nathan Johns

Nathan Johns is an Irish Times journalist

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