CENTRE ANTOINE FRISCH says he’s ready to answer an out-half SOS if Munster need him to slot in at No 10.
The 27-year old played out-half coming through the ranks in his native France and is ready to step up if needed, with Jack Crowley not back from World Cup duty and Joey Carbery nursing a hand injury.
Frisch, part of the Emerging Ireland squad that went to South Africa early last season, played at out-half for the Barbarians against Samoa in Brive in August when his former Bristol Bears coach Pat Lam was in charge.
Academy player Tony Butler and experienced centre Rory Scannell could slot in at out-half next Saturday if needed when Munster take on the Dragons, but Frisch says he’s ready to step up if needed.
“There’s Tony Butler who is fit to go and Rory Scannell is obviously very experienced in that position, but whatever the team needs, if someone goes down, I can cover, no problem,” said Frisch.
Frisch, who grew up in Paris, is a versatile player who came through the ranks at Massy, Stade Francais and Rouen, playing in either centre position, out-half or full-back, before Lam brought him to Bristol.
He enjoyed a superb first season with Munster last year, linking up with Malakai Fekitoa, although by the time the Kiwi made his mark he was on his way out the door to Benetton. Frisch made 19 appearances, all but one of them starting at outside centre, during that campaign which ended with the URC success.
- Centre pairing -
Now Frisch is set to partner another New Zealander this season, with Alex Nankivell making his first two appearances off the bench against the Sharks and Benetton.
“He came in and straight away you can see the quality on both sides of the ball, in ‘D’ it’s his defensive reads and also in attack he scans really well, he’s always making good decisions,” added Frisch.
“I really enjoyed playing with him on the weekend when he came on so yes, very easy to play with him, very similar to Mala last year. He’s quality.
“Maybe we just need some minutes, just to get those connections, but he’s fit in so seamlessly since he’s arrived. I reckon it will be a very, very fast transition.”
Just get Crowley back, he hasn’t played since September and during the RWC got maybe 70mins total ?
@Owen ODonoghue: you don’t think he needs a mental break after the World Cup? What about his training load since pre season? It’s not just about game time.
@Pierce O’Hehir: Reckon if you asked him he’d prefer to play….
@Owen ODonoghue: long season ahead.
@Owen ODonoghue: could not agree more. Carbery has already probably more minutes this season. It’s completely insane. He’s played 30 mins since Sept 23rd. He’s 22. Get him playing.
Give Butler game time. No harm. We know what we get with RS, who is not a long-term option at 10, and I’d hate to lose Frisch’s ability at 13 where he is first choice. If Carbery is injured, then why wouldn’t we give youth a chance?
@Brenda Collins: Something tells me there are going to be more competitive matches in the URC this year- not many occasions to give some young lad a ‘run’, especially as you’re champions with a target on your backs in every game.
@Brenda Collins: agree completely Brenda
@Brenda Collins: Butler looks like a decent player, obviously green but with a nice touch and not afraid to attack the line, hope in a situation like this they back him.
please play Daly at 13, thank you.
There needs to be some sort of loan system introduced between provinces. Someone like Charlie Tector at Leinster is going to be very limited in terms of playing time, while Munster will struggle during the six nations should Carbery rediscover his best form and get selected along with Crowley
@philip kelly: I don’t think Munster will have to worry about having two Out Halves away during the 6N.
@David Finn: what if both are unavailable for selection?
@David Finn: Why not?
@David Finn: I’d imagine it’s a distinct possibility. If joey is going well it’d be very easy to see him bypass Ross byrne
@munsterman: or Ross Byrne could be injured at 6 nations time. Could mean Carbery and Crowley both in the Ireland camp. Or R Byrne could stay fit but one of the two Munster flyhalfs is injured with the other in Ireland camp. Unless there’s a surprise pick (Carty, Burns comeback, one of the younger flyhalfs selected) it looks like any injury at flyhalf and Munster are out of specialists in that position.
@Kevin Volf: it’d be nice to still have Ben healy
@munsterman: Or Flannery.