Damien de Allende has confirmed he will leave Munster at the end of the season, with his next club set to be outside Europe.
The 30-year-old South African has been a big hit since joining in the summer of 2020, making 31 appearances to date and scoring three tries.
Confirmation of his departure had been expected, with the province previously announcing the signing of former All Black centre Malakai Fekitoa as their non-Irish qualified midfielder for next season.
De Allende could not reveal his next destination, with the Springbok World Cup winner expected to be returning to Japan, having joined Munster from Saitama Wild Knights.
However, he has categorically ruled out following his Munster coach Johann van Graan to Bath, adding he has never been in contact with the Premiership club.
"I'm not staying, but it hasn't been confirmed where I'm going," he said, ahead of this Saturday's meeting with Leinster in the United Rugby Championship (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player).
"I'm not staying in Europe, so I'm definitely not going to Bath, I haven't spoken to anyone at Bath.
"I will not be staying in Europe as of the end of the season, which is unfortunate, but I'm looking forward to ending the season on a high, I really want to leave Munster with great memories I've made already, but some silverware as well."
De Allende's second season at the province has been hampered by unavailability, missing the early stages of the season due to Rugby Championship commitments with South Africa, before an abdominal injury in January saw sidelined for 10 weeks.
However, he returned from injury on the recent tour of South Africa, and has looked in fine form, scoring two tries in his last three games.
Barring injury, he's almost certain to start against the leaders Leinster this Saturday at Thomond Park, which will be his sixth time facing Leo Cullen's side.
However, Saturday's contest will be his first against the champions in front of a packed crowd, with his five previous derby games being played behind closed doors.
"I'm looking forward to it, we want to see a big sea of red, but I'm also excited to see the blue in the stadium as well.
"I haven't experienced a full Thomond Park yet so I'm hoping it'll be close to sold-out. I'm looking forward to seeing the red and blue, I've seen it on TV a few times back home in my younger days, the atmosphere looked incredible.
"I know a lot of us play rugby because we love the sport, but I think for us players, the atmosphere [is important] also.
"It's quite tough, it's quite challenging because it almost feels like a Test match. They have quite a few internationals and experience in the team. What they bring to the match, the intensity is higher, the physicality is similar as well, but it's one game as a player you want to challenge yourself against.
"They are one of the best teams in Europe in the past few years. Like I say all the time, you want to test yourself against the best players and the majority of the team are some of the best players in Ireland, that's why they represent Ireland, and did quite well in the Six Nations," he added.
Both sides are likely to include the majority of their returning Six Nations players, with Munster confirming captain Peter O'Mahony (bove), Conor Murray, Dave Kilcoyne and Joey Carbery have all returned to full training this week.
Tadhg Beirne is a doubt for this weekend's derby however, with the versatile forward picking up a "low-grade thigh injury".
There are also doubts surrounding Jean Kleyn, Simon Zebo and Mike Haley. Kleyn is having a scan on a knee injury, while Zebo is following the return to play protocols due to the head injury he suffered on Friday against Benetton. Haley missed last Friday's win against the Italians with a knee issue, but the province say he is progressing well with his rehab.
Andrew Conway will definitely miss the game however, with the wing also a doubt for the Heineken Champions Cup last 16 against Exeter next week due to the knee injury that kept him out of Ireland's final Six Nations game.
In better news, Keith Earls is in contention to play for the first time since January, having returned to full training following a hamstring injury.
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Watch Benetton v Connacht (Saturday 12pm), France v Ireland (Saturday 2.15pm) and Munster v Leinster (Saturday 7pm) live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player (also live on RTÉ Radio 1).
