Toulon, a prominent club in France’s Top 14 league, has recently finalized a substantial agreement with Munster, in which they have allocated a noteworthy sum of €300,000 (£257,524) to enlist the services of Antoine Frisch. At 27 years old, Frisch, a talented centre, will formalize a four-year contractual commitment with the esteemed French institution, thereby concluding his tenure with his current team a year ahead of schedule.
In a notable display of competitiveness, Toulon has successfully outmaneuvered rival clubs such as La Rochelle, Montpellier, and Perpignan in securing Frisch’s services. The enticing factor for Frisch comes in the form of a monthly stipend of €28,000 (£24,000) from Toulon, a figure that nearly triples his current earnings with Munster.
Frisch’s rugby journey has taken him through the lower echelons of French rugby, representing Tarbes, Massy, and Rouen, prior to a brief stint in England’s Premiership with Bristol Bears. His transfer to Munster in 2022 was initially met with promise, but his international aspirations cast a shadow of uncertainty over his future as he expressed his desire to represent France, despite never having earned a cap for Ireland.
The highly sought-after centre is on the cusp of earning his maiden international caps this summer as part of Fabien Galthié’s esteemed Les Bleus squad, further enhancing the appeal of Toulon’s acquisition.
Despite initial reservations regarding Munster’s valuation of Frisch, Toulon ultimately acknowledged his value to their squad. Consequently, Munster is presently scouting for a replacement, with discussions underway to potentially secure the services of Dan Kelly from Leicester Tigers, a player eligible for Ireland despite previous representation for England.
Negotiations with Leicester Tigers are anticipated to be intricate, as they may seek a significant portion of the transfer fee they obtained for Frisch as a component of the agreement to release Kelly to the United Rugby Championship.
Toulon’s signing of Frisch signifies a substantial investment in the club’s future, underscoring their resolve to secure top-tier talent in advance of their adversaries. As the transfer window continues to unfold, the rugby community anticipates the forthcoming series of high-profile movements and their possible impact on the upcoming season.