MUNSTER STAR SIMON Zebo is still holding out hope of playing for Ireland in next month’s Six Nations despite his upcoming transfer to Racing 92.
Zebo’s summer move to Racing — which has put his future at international level in doubt — was finally confirmed by the 2016 French champions earlier this week.
The 27-year-old – who will line out against Racing in a Champions Cup clash in Paris on Sunday – was left out of the Ireland squad for the autumn internationals, but he has told French sport daily L’Equipe that he is still hoping to earn a recall.
“It’s unfortunate but that’s the way it is,” Zebo said, when asked about being overlooked for Ireland’s wins over South Africa, Fiji and Argentina in November.
“There were players in this situation before me and they continued to be called up for Ireland.
“I would not understand if there’s one rule for the others and another for me. I’m fully eligible because I’m a Munster player until June. I hope I’ll be called up for the Six Nations.”
Zebo will start at fullback this weekend as Pool 4 leaders Munster seek the win over Racing that would secure their passage to the Champions Cup quarter-finals. From next season on he will be in the opposite camp, following in the footsteps of Ireland team-mate and former Racing player Jonathan Sexton.
“From the age of 19, I decided that I would play in France,” said Zebo, whose father hails from the French overseas territory of Martinique.
“It’s true that Jonny was able to play for Ireland while he was playing in France. It would not really make sense if I became unable to be picked while I’m still playing with Munster.”
In a wide-ranging interview, Zebo also hinted that Schmidt’s preference for a highly structured style of play has not helped his chances, conceding that he is better able to express himself at club level.
“With Munster, I’m free to try things, to play the moves that I see,” he is quoted as saying in L’Equipe. “I don’t have any shackles.
“Joe is a super coach who has had great success with Ireland. We already talked about it face-to-face. I said to him that I couldn’t play in such a rigid structure. I can’t play like that.
“Winning is important but for me it’s also important to do it in a certain way. But if you ask me to pick between losing in style or winning ugly, I’d choose the second option.”
Zebo grew up admiring the great Toulouse side of the early part of the century and said Frederic Michalak was his idol because of the fearless way he approached the game.
Former Toulouse boss Guy Noves expressed an interest in signing Zebo several years ago but the Cork native feels he is joining a club of a similar stature next season. He had also been courted by Pau, where ex-Munster backs coach Simon Mannix is in charge, and Lyon.
“I wanted to come to a team that were at least as ambitious as Munster,” he said. “Racing want to dominate Europe and the French championship.
“I don’t want to just be happy to live in France. I want to win titles – to have an impact in a winning team.”
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Zebo is not Johnny Sexton. Simple
@Kendo90: he’s a better rugby player
@Paul Coughlan: world class 10 though
@Paul Coughlan: who
@Paul Coughlan: Zebos trophy count isn’t comparable to Sextons.. But who’s counting…
The unwritten rule was brought in after Sexton came back, the IRFU didn’t want an exodus of players and it’s worked. If Zebo is saying he can’t play in a rigid structure then he’s probably better off moving. I doubt those comments will be well received. He would be better off just saying he would still love to play for Ireland and leave it at that. The Autumn internationals showed that big names can be quickly forgotten. There’s a lot of talent coming through. I’m sure he’ll enjoy his time in Paris but I’d say there’s a part of him which will regret giving up his international career.
@Andrew: he’s not gone yet.
@Ben Walshe: but how can he ask for a call up and then also say the style of rugby doesn’t suit him? He’s entitled to say what he wants but if he doesn’t suit the Joe brand of rugby, then he’s out. Ireland are not gonna change their system for Simon Zebo.
why is he giving these interviews before racing game?
@shamrock dairies: dream on Zeebs! He’s so far down the pecking order now, behind Kearney, Larmour and Conway at 15.. lost his pace and ghosts in and out of games.. good luck in Paris pal
Id say pilut him in the squad. Sure Sexton had that luxury too so why shouldnt Zeebs?
I’d say they were putting down a marker for the autumn internationals when so many players had still to sign contract extensions
@Gavin Mitchell: For many reasons, including the fact that Sexton was indispensable. Plenty of options for Zebo’s positions.
Sexton= world class. Zebo= very good international player. If Murray played overseas he’d definitely be picked
@Paddy O’Brien: no player is indispensable.
@Rudiger McMonihan: agreed, CM9 heads off it would be allowed. No one was able to match JS10 at the time and we won a 6 nations with him in the team (notably as joint top highest try scorer) in all for a pity party when one is due and also a protest when wrong. But black and white people to replace SZ no one to replace JS10 at the time. Just ask Marty and mad dog
@Scott Crossfield: Why should the race of whoever replaces Zebo come into it???
@Gavin Mitchell: Because the difference between Sexton and Jackson at the time was like the difference between Sexton and Hanrahan or Carty now. Completely indispensable.
Zebo wouldn’t start ahead of Conway, Earls, Stockdale, Kearney and maybe even McFadden on current form.
He won’t be in the 6 nations squad, nor should he, not that it makes a difference, because he wouldn’t start.
I don’t have any grudges with him going abroad, he always wanted to go to France, I hope he really enjoys it and is very successful. But if he isn’t going to be playing in Ireland during the World Cup, then we need to invest time in players that will be around.
@Gavin Mitchell: Because Sexton was essential with no other player of his class in his position. The same cannot be said for Zebo.
@Oisín Cleary: as a Munster man I totally agree. Conway and Earls have been great of late. Conway especially deserves more international game time
@Scott Crossfield: neither Marty nor Maddog would make a provincial starting XV currently, never mind an Irish squad.
Probably wasn’t picked more so because of his attitude. You do what’s best for the team not what’s best for you to “express yourself”
@Sam Harms: He’s getting an armchair ride here cos he’s a Munster player. Can you imagine if Jamie Heaslip made the same comments? Social media already got a huge kick from his fist pump.
You made your bed, the future in the 15 shirt is Jordan Larmour. Time to get him ready for Japan
@Declan Snow: careful now
It’s a bit disingenuous of Zebo to quibble about rules. The whole point of the IRFU’s selection policy is that there is no rule.
This lack of a rule gives a small nation like Ireland flexibility with selection if a player is indispensable or there is an injury crisis.
Either way, Schmidt should clearly communicate Zebo’s standing to him in the squad this Spring.
@EK: he says he told joe he couldn’t play within his system and basically that he’ll do whatever he likes on a rugby pitch and still expects to be selected?
Leinster have a better full back, ulster have a better full back , Connacht have a better full back and even munster have a better fullback.
Good luck in France Zebo you won’t be missed in green.
@Chris Mc: only larmour is potentially better
@EK: agreed. Zebo knows that, too. Serious shit stirring.
@PScald: “potentially”
Already is and so are Kearney and Conway
There aren’t that many games left before the World Cup. If Zebo won’t be available for selection then, why spend gametime on him that could be used developing guys that will be. The Irish policy in place now only came in relatively recently, and it mainly came about because of how bad it was trying to deal with Sexton playing outside the country. Saying it was “ignored” to let him play isn’t really true.
Long story short, it seems Zebo thought the IRFU were bluffing. They weren’t.
Can’t see Joe selecting him.
5 years, 15 6Ns matches……1 try, au revoir Simon
I think Zebo has been harshly treated by Schmidt, and some of the comments on here are a bit harsh too.
We shouldn’t forget that Schmidt picked Dave Kearney over Zebo in the World Cup QF. Kearney has offered little to Irish rugby in the last few years and Zebo has consistently lit up games.
A winger in the Schmidt system must be a good kick chaser and rucking ability and defensive positioning seems more highly rated then finishing ability.
In fairness there were indicators in November that this is changing. I sincerely hope that it is, because if we don’t loosen up a bit and expand our game then we will be coming home after the QF again.
It’s good that Zebo has verbalised this issue. Let’s face it anyone who has watched Ireland under Schmidt already knew about it.
@Oran Burns: Why should Joe Schmidt change his entire game plan for Simon Zebo? This is the same Schmidt who has 2 European Cups and 2 6 Nations under his belt. He’s not without criticism, of course. But Zebo isn’t near good enough to either change the selection system or rip up the game plan. He’s off and good luck to him. Seeya
@Oran Burns: the difference is Kearney isn’t a showboating ball hog
Fair play to Zebo , while Schmidt is an excellent coach and has led the team to great results it’s a known fact his tactics for the back three in,particular are very rigid and don’t bring the best out of the players Selecting guys like Dave Kearney & Rob Kearney in recent years is a prime example Luke Fitzgerald who was another exciting explosive player similar to Zebo has gone on record to say he’s not a fan of Schmidts rigid tactics
However I think it was important to send a strong message to big players like POM , CJ ,that if you don’t play in an Irish province you shouldn’t get selected. In the end of the day Zebo isn’t Jonny Sexton and he is replaceable. Stockdale , Earls , Larmour , Conway , Payne , Sweetnam are all great players who can do just as well or possibly better then Zebo
You made your choice Zebo.
All the best to you and make as much as you can.
But there’s also a price.
Good man Zebo.. he knows he won’t be picked but no harm in calling out the bullshit for what it is
@PScald: He is the most over rated rugby player of all time, side step straight into tackle repeat. Allowances were made for Johnny because he is world class in a pivotal position. But don’t let your Munster bias get in the way of that.
@Eric Djemba-Djemba: im afraid it’s your bias that’s showing.
@Eric Djemba-Djemba: also better not compare his stats to rob then.lol
@PScald: compare their trophies
@Eric Djemba-Djemba: I completely agree, every time I watch him he doesn’t do much
@PScald: RKearney was unreal for a while, then became absolutely pants due to a safety first attitude and now appears to be very good again (although not as fast as he used to be). Zebo was the best fullback/wing in ireland for a few years during RK’s boring period, but hasnt played well at all since he signed for Racing. Over the past few months he’s gone from my favourite Irish fullback down to below Larmour, Conway & Kearney. (Id say OHalloran too but i feel his form has dropped as well) Stockdale, Carbery and Sweetnam can play FB too and are also playing well.
@PScald: imagine if a departing Jamie Heaslip said the same thing. You’d even pay for his plane ticket. Don’t pretend there’s no bias in what you wrote. Of course there is.
You’re from Cork. Not one of the D4 brigade.
@Paul Coughlan: Please, tell us how many players in the Ireland squad are from Dublin 4?
@Paddy O’Brien: And while he’s at it, ask him how many former Leinster players are playing abroad but not in the Ireland squad.
Munster Leinster munster leinster what a crock of shite when it comes down to Ireland the best players should be picked not the players Joe knows best Rb Kearney had a positive mini blip in november still cant rule out the previous 4 years of dross and self preservation. Larmour, Carberry exciting definitely proven definitely not should have got more pitch time for both leinster and ireland if they were being seriously considered( i know carberry is injured but ireland see him as a 10) neither Conway or Earls play regularly at 15 for their club ( wingers mostly ) Tiernan O Halloran is suffering a crisis of confidence possibly because inexplicably he was left out of the squad in nov. And whoever mentioned McFadden get a flippin grip 4th choice full back in leinster.Zebo as it stands no.1 fb
@Michael McGrath: It says a lot for the standard of commentating on the42 now that your absolute vomit can attract 8 likes. What your comment essentially boils down to is, what would 2 time 6 Nations winner and two time European Cup winner Joe Schmidt know about rugby, when Michael McGrath has made his point clear? How do you know TOH s confidence issues are due to November? Schmidt has almost always not picked him. Since when is McFadden considered a full back? As for 4th choice, did you see the Leinster team for tomorrow?
@Michael McGrath: you’ve clearly not seen McFadden play the past few weeks. Zebo is not no. 1.
@grandslamkbo: pardon me if im wrong but is this forum not an expression of opinion so on that basis im entitled to my opinion and on that basis you have the right to disagree with it. What you dont have is the right to abuse me ..hiding behind a stupid moniker at least im honest and up front about what i said and who i am. i didnt say i know more than Joe Schmidt but its also widely known he puts faith in the players he knows best form nonwithstanding. My opinion is Zebo is no.1 f.b aside from his oft misguided comments i made my reasons for it.. obviously your opinion is he is not so instead of abusing me counter me with proper debate rather than vitriol and sarcasm oh mighty one
@Michael McGrath: The irony is delicious given in your OP you asked people “to get a flippin grip” because they dared to offer an opinion that was in favour of Fergus McFadden, the in-form winger in Irish rugby over the past month. So dry your eyes. You’re all about free speech when it is yours.
@Michael McGrath: Everyone is entitled to my opinion.
@grandslamkbo: irony ..thats rich coming from you . Your obviously a Leinster fan and a totally one sided one at that. how ironic it is that you disagree because i dared to offer an opinion of Fergus McFadden but can be similarly dismissive of my opinion of simon zebo. And the opinion offered was that McFadden was a better f.b than Zebo not winger ..not that he is either. Judging by the reaction you have been having to some of the comments you have made and your replys it looks like you like your own version of free speech yourself. So you might be right that there is a lot of vomit on the 42 but you contribute to a lot of it yourself
@grandslamkbo: right back at you its pretty ironic yourself on about free speech when you seem pretty caught up with your own version.
@David Supple:
I told Joe I can’t play in his system but I still expect to be picked! Very arrogant attitude!
The fact is Sexton was the starting 10 for the last 2 Lions tours. Zebo has never been involved in a Lions test team and didn’t even make the last Lions squad. He isn’t even guaranteed a place in the Irish team when everyone is fit.
If only he was the player he thought he was!
@Barry Maher: also the “rule” only really came in when Sexton returned. Its similar in Wales, some of their players played abroad and were still able to play and now with the new rule they can’t.
Pure shit stirring, he knows exactly what situation he’s in regarding Irish selection. Whatever his chances were he’s just talked himself out of contention now.
The only difference is Sexton was indispensable & Zebo is not so he will be left out as a deterrent. Also telling Joe I can’t play in your system is surely the last straw, n’est pas?