Last week, Munster assistant coach Mike Prendergast dismissed talk of Antoine Frisch departing the province in the off season, but the French born centre continues to be linked with a move to the Top 14.
Frisch currently qualifies to play for Ireland and impressed on the Emerging Ireland tour of South Africa in 2022, but Andy Farrell's stacked options in midfield have halted his progress to the international scene.
In recent months, Antoine Frisch has expressed his intentions to represent his home country, and Fabien Galthie is expected to name him in Les Blues' squad for the summer tour against Argentina.
Should this happen, he will become another Non-Irish Qualified Munster player in the squad, and with fellow centre Alex Nankivell already taking an NIQ spot, Frisch could depart this summer.
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According to reports, the likes of Montpellier, Toulon and La Rochelle are all interested in signing the exciting centre, but with a year remaining on his contract at Thomond Park, Munster will likely seek substantial compensation to let their man go.
Jackman believes Munster are right in attempt to drive hard bargain
Speaking on the RTÉ Rugby Podcast on Wednesday, former Ireland hooker Bernard Jackman believes Munster's tactics of down-playing a potential Frisch departure is right.
I think Munster have to get a transfer fee, because they've been badly affected by this.
French clubs are used to paying transfer fees. Prendy ( Mike Prendergast) and Graham Rowntree and the Munster CEO [ have to act as if they're 100 per cent sure and committed that Antoine will stay.
But behind the scenes, I would be shocked if he's there next season. It may happen, he may have a change of mind and see out his contract and then try to play for France, but another year, a year is a long time in pro rugby, and that opportunity may be gone.
Munster have done nothing wrong here, I want to be clear on that, and they're doing nothing wrong by trying to basically get as much as they possibly can.
Maybe he'll stay, but I'll be shocked if he does.
Jackman also believes that Frisch's ambitions of representing France won't happen if he remains with Musnter.
He's not going to play for France playing for Munster, so I just think I would be absolutely shocked if this isn't resolved, but resolved in a manner that Antoine Frisch is playing somewhere else, probably Toulon, who have money in their budget because Waisea Nayacalevu is gone to Sale Sharks, and they're very much in the market for Antoine.
"Munster have to get a transfer fee, because they've been badly affected by this..."
🇫🇷 Is Antoine Frisch staying or is he going? #RTERugby
📺🎧 Full pod: https://t.co/xwe6GWZUIM pic.twitter.com/xEi1wxcj8V
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) April 24, 2024
Graham Rowntree's side have already been busy preparing for the 2024/25 season and have confirmed the incomings of Billy Burns and Diarmuid Kilgallen.
The Irish Examiner reported last week that Munster are also preparing to bring in Tom Farrell from Connacht as a possible replacement for Antoine Frisch.
It will certainly be an interesting couple of months ahead for Munster, who look set to have a lot of fresh new faces in and around the squad, and the departure of Antoine Frisch could heavily rely on the decision of Fabien Galthie in the coming months.
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