Bernard Jackman believes Munster are fighting a losing battle to keep Antoine Frisch at the province next season, but says they're right to drive a hard bargain for the French centre.
Frisch has been the subject of speculation in the French media around his future in recent weeks, with the 27-year-old a target for a number of Top14 sides.
The midfielder is under contract at Munster until the summer of 2025, but with the former Bristol man likely to be called up by France for their summer tour of Argentina, he's expected to lose his status as an Irish-qualified player, which would limit Munster's ability to keep him beyond next summer.
Last week, Munster's attack coach Mike Prendergast said he expects Frisch to be a Munster player next season when is still under contract, but Jackman believes that to be a negotiation tactic from the province, as they look to gain compensation for potentially giving Frisch early release from his deal.
"I think Munster have to get a transfer fee, because they've been badly affected by this," Jackman told the RTÉ Rugby podcast.
"Munster have to get a transfer fee, because they've been badly affected by this..."
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) April 24, 2024
🇫🇷 Is Antoine Frisch staying or is he going? #RTERugby
📺🎧 Full pod: https://t.co/xwe6GWZUIM pic.twitter.com/xEi1wxcj8V
"French clubs are used to paying transfer fees. Prendy [Prendergast] and Graham Rowntree and the Munster CEO [Ian Flanagan] have to act as if they're 100% sure and committed that Antoine will stay.
"But behind the scenes, I would be shocked if he's there next season. It may happen, he may have a change of mind and see out his contract and then try to play for France, but another year, a year is a long time in pro rugby, and that opportunity may be gone.
"Munster have done nothing wrong here, I want to be clear on that, and they're doing nothing wrong by trying to basically get as much as they possibly can.
"Maybe he'll stay, but I'll be shocked if he does.
"He's not going to play for France playing for Munster, so I just think I would be absolutely shocked if this isn't resolved, but resolved in a manner that Antoine Frisch is playing somewhere else, probably Toulon, who have money in their budget because Waisea Nayacalevu is gone to Sale Sharks, and they're very much in the market for Antoine."
The province have reportedly taken steps to fill the vacant centre spot that Frisch would leave behind, with Tom Farrell likely to move from Connacht to Thomond Park in the summer.
Ex-Munster wing Johne Murphy joined Jackman on this week's podcast, and says while Munster would be losing a key player if Frisch departs, keeping him may have unintended consequences.
"There's also a human aspect in that as well, but that leads to the professional aspect," Murphy said.
"Are you going to get the best out of someone if they dig their heels in and keep him, and are taking that opportunity away from him, are you going to get the best our of him on the pitch?
"Are you going to get the best out of them if they're unhappy? That feeds into the professional sphere, and you have to think about what's going to be best for you on the pitch ultimately, and that's getting the best out of the players.
"You've to come up with an agreement is best for the individual, but ultimately best for that organisation on the pitch."
Listen to the RTÉ Rugby podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Watch Ireland v Scotland in the Guinness Women's Six Nations on Saturday from 2.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to live commentary on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
Watch Ulster v Benetton (Friday 7.35pm) and Dragons v Connacht (Saturday 7.35pm) in the BKT United Rugby Championship on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
