Ireland assistant Simon Easterby says Antoine Frisch could well come into consideration for a future Ireland call-up, providing the Munster man doesn't make a debut for France this weekend.
The centre, who was born in France but is qualified to play for Ireland through his grandmother, was drafted into the French squad by head coach Fabien Galthie for this weekend's Guinness Six Nations finale against England on Saturday.
The 27-year-old has impressed since joining Munster from Bristol in the summer of 2022, and has previously been on the radar of the Irish coaches, who brought him on the Emerging Ireland tour to South Africa, which was coached by Easterby.
The Emerging Ireland appearances don't tie him to Test rugby here, while it also hasn't led to a call-up to the senior side, with head coach Andy Farrell having a deep roster in that area, with Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, Robbie Henshaw and Stuart McCloskey currently the preferred options.
"I don't know whether they [France] 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 said.
"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."
Easterby says that if Frisch doesn't make his debut in Lyon this Saturday, they will keep their options open.
"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," he added.
Should Frisch play for France, it complicates his future at Munster.
The centre still has more than a year left on his original three-year contract at the province, but Munster's ability to offer him a deal beyond that will likely hinge on whether or not he is still Irish-qualified.
"Credit to him, it’s well deserved," Tadhg Beirne said of his Munster teammate, who has scored seven tries in 33 appearances.
"He has been playing really well for Munster since he has arrived. Fair play to him, all I can see is congratulations to him, it’s massive opportunity for him, and I’m sure he will do his best to take it."
Watch Wales v Italy in the Guinness Six Nations (2.15pm) and France v England (8pm) on Saturday on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on France v England on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app
Follow a live blog on Ireland v Scotland in the Guinness Six Nations on Saturday from 4pm and listen to live commentary on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
