Updated at 15.17
SIMON ZEBO’S FUTURE at Munster is up in the air after he refused to rule out a potential move away from the province.
The 27-year-old winger has played 123 times for Munster and scored 55 tries between the league and Europe.
He has featured on a British & Irish Lions tour to Australia and notched up 35 caps for Ireland but his provincial contract runs out next summer.
I’m still deciding what I’m going to do in terms of my family and my future and it will probably take a little bit of time. But I’ll come to a decision soon,” said Zebo.
“Definitely (before the November internationals), we’ll see what happens. I’m still unsure.
At some time in my career, yeah, (I will go to France) it just depends when. It could be at any level or any time, but at some stage, yeah.
“Munster Rugby is the creme de la creme when it comes to club rugby and I’m very happy to be spending my time here at the moment.
If something changes or if I have a different motive for moving I’ll see, but for now I’m just committed to playing as best I can on the pitch, enjoying nights like Saturday night, which are incredible.
“I wouldn’t (move or stay because of Johann van Graan), Munster Rugby is Munster Rugby.
It’s not going to change with somebody coming in or going. I wouldn’t base my decision on that at all.”
Munster clash with Racing 92 at Thomond Park on Saturday as they look for their first victory in this season’s Champions Cup — Munster drew 17-17 with Castres at Stade Pierre Fabre in Round 1.
Out-half Tyler Bleyendaal (neck) and hooker Niall Scannell (thumb) have both emerged as doubts out of that game, while Jean Kleyn (neck) looks highly unlikely to feature.
New director of rugby Johann van Graan will be in Limerick this weekend and his predecessor Rassie Erasmus says he is confident of a smooth transition.
“He’s been under pressure situations in his life. When he coached with the Bulls, in those days with 15,000 or 16,000 people at a match, and if you lose sometimes there’s then 2,000 people,” said Erasmus.
Sometimes it works in a cut-throat way in South Africa in certain provinces. So he’s used to massive pressure.
“He’s been involved with the Springboks when they lost by two points in a World Cup semi-final to the All Blacks, but they lost to Japan and they had to turn that around, and then they went on to the semi-finals and lost by two points to the All Blacks.
Five weeks ago they lost to the All Blacks by 57 points and they managed to handle that pressure and come back and lose by one point.
“So I don’t think the pressure will get to him. He’s a really level-headed, cool guy.
“The new thing is just to pretty quickly understand the culture and the players.”
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Glad TJV got the stage win for van Hooydonck. You could see what it meant to Vingegaard at the end.
Although Vingo is crazy good, would love to see Kuss win the Vuelta. And I mean WIN it and not handed it by team orders. Although not sure what team orders are for TJV.
@Kevin Dillon: Angliru tomorrow will reveal all. Looks like they’re going with a strategy of having Vingegaard attack and force the others to decide between trying to follow him (and ideally have Kuss and Roglic sit on their wheel) or wait behind with Kuss. Apparently van Hooydonck is awake and doing well which is great news in what has been a horrific year in the peloton.
I would also love to see Kuss win it, and as you say not be handed it which jumbo could possibly do. To be fair though their best option is letting Jonas attack and see if Kuss can just sit on whoever tries to follow and if he ends up in red at the end brilliant. Putting all their eggs in one basket and using up Jonas and Roglic to be domestique for Kuss would be dangerous even though he’s in red and deservedly so but not sure he would be able to respond to attack after attack. Cracking race and fantastic tactics and options from JV as usual.
@sean murphy: 100% on jumbo’s tactics.ostly always get them right.