Munster confirm Antoine Frisch departure to Top 14 giants as France debut looms
Antoine Frisch in action for Munster in the United Rugby Championship in 2024.
Munster have confirmed that centre Antoine Frisch will depart the United Rugby Championship (URC) holders for Top 14 outfit Toulon at the end of the campaign.
In a transfer that will boost the player’s chances of featuring for France at international level, the versatile centre is looking to take the next step in his career.
Frisch arrived at Munster in 2022 after joining from Bristol Bears and has enjoyed a fruitful two seasons at the Irish province, helping them win the URC title.
URC title winner
He shone in that championship-winning side alongside Malakai Fekitoa and has this season linked up superbly with recent recruit from the Chiefs, Alex Nankivell.
However, with just one round of the regular season remaining before the play-offs, Munster have announced that this term will be Frisch’s last in the red jersey.
“Munster Rugby can confirm that Antoine Frisch will depart for Toulon in the summer after two years at the province,” read a statement on the team’s website.
“Antoine has been a fantastic addition since joining from Bristol in 2022 and there are a huge few weeks to come before he departs with our best wishes.
“The 28-year-old has scored nine tries in 39 Munster appearances to date, including two against Edinburgh last weekend.”
The statement continued: “Antoine announced himself to Munster supporters on his first start with an excellent performance against South Africa A at Páirc Uí Chaoimh in November 2022.
“He went on to play a key role in Munster’s URC title win last season and scored three tries in 19 appearances that included starts in the quarter-final, semi-final and final.
“He has already scored six tries in 21 appearances so far this campaign with his good form earning a call-up to France’s Six Nations squad in March.”
New arrival
The departure of Frisch at the end of the campaign follows the news that Connacht centre Tom Farrell will be joining Munster on a two-year deal ahead of 2024/25.
The 30-year-old will link up with Graham Rowntree’s men after a successful successful seven-year spell at Connacht where he has scored 21 tries in 112 matches.
Farrell is a former Ireland U20 international who joined Connacht from Bedford Blues in 2017 and quickly became a crucial member of the province’s squad.
The Dublin-born centre is a Leinster Academy graduate and earned a call-up to the Ireland squad for the 2019 Six Nations but did not play under Andy Farrell.