Simon Easterby gives his take on Munster’s Antoine Frisch being called up by France

"Obviously, that will change a few things."

The 27-year-old Munster centre has been playing in Ireland for the past two years and helped the province to a United Rugby Championship title, last May. Frisch is Irish qualified by his maternal grandmother and played for Emerging Ireland in late 2022 - a side that had Simon Easterby at the helm.

Easterby is assistant to Andy Farrell's Ireland side and he was up for media duties at the IRFU's High Performance Centre, today (March 12). He was asked about Frisch's call-up by Fabien Galthie and whether Ireland had recently been in touch. He commented:

"I don’t know whether they will cap him or they’ve just got him in for training. I worked with Frischy with Emerging Ireland, and he’s a great guy; good player. He’s unfortunately in a position of real strength for us and he might get into a few other teams, given the opportunity.

"I’m obviously not fully aware of the situation around what’s happening this week around his selection, but he’s a good guy, good player, and if he does get capped, then obviously that will change a few things, but it’s not one for me to worry about too much right now."

Simon Easterby on Antoine Frisch

Antoine Frisch hails from France and made his first strides in the country's PRO D2 (second division). He came to the attention of Munster after a decent spell at Bristol Bears.

Frisch clearly had intentions to line out for Ireland but he has not been included in any senior squads and, at least, sits behind Bundee Aki, Robbie Henshaw, Garry Ringrose and Stuart McCloskey in the centres pecking order. James Hume and Jamie Osborne are another two quality centres currently playing here, and playing well.

Simon Easterby was asked if Frisch might still be in the selection picture for Ireland if he just went in to train with France but not capped. He replied:

"It depends really. I certainly haven't been involved in any conversations with Antoine, so I think that’s the important thing first – there is a conversation with Munster, with Faz (Andy Farrell) around what his plans are.

"And then we will obviously find out a little bit more. It’s quite recent and we are probably waiting to see what happens this week, and then we can make a call on it."

Tadhg Beirne, who plays with Antoine Frisch for Munster, commented, "It’s well deserved, he has been playing really well for Munster since he has arrived. Fair play to him.

"All I can say is congratulations to him. It's a massive opportunity for him, and I’m sure he will do his best to take it.

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