Who is Antoine Frisch, the Irish-qualified centre Munster have just signed from Bristol Bears?
This is what most Irish fans would have been asking themselves when they saw the announcement from Munster Rugby earlier today.
It is a fair question, and only those who have been keeping an intent eye on the Gallagher Premiership in recent weeks would have been aware of his presence.
📢 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: Antoine Frisch
Munster Rugby are pleased to confirm the signing of centre Antoine Frisch on a three-year contract from the start of next season.
Full details ⤵️ #SUAF 🔴— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) April 20, 2022
Qualifying for Ireland through his maternal grandmother who is from Dublin, Frisch was described by Bristol coach Pat Lam as someone who “is certainly dangerous in attack and brings some really good energy to the team."
Also, according to Bristol Live, it had recently reported that Stade Francais and Montpellier were interested in his signature, as were two unnamed Irish provinces.
The 6 foot 2, 14 stone centre joined Bristol Bears at the beginning of the current season, and has only recently begun to stand out in England. But, in a performance against Saracens in March at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the Frenchman laid down a marker.
Playing against a Saracens side featuring many of Europe’s finest, including Billy Vunipola, Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje, Vincent Koch, and Elliot Daly, Frisch scored one try and assisted two others. One of the assists featured a step on Elliot Daly that left the Lion’s star completely stranded in defence.
Munster's new signing Antoine Frisch in action
That step from Antoine Frisch! 🥰
Incredible footwork from the @BristolBears man to beat Elliot Daly and over goes Tiff Eden.#GallagherPrem | #TheShowdown2 pic.twitter.com/5E0PPzhUsQ— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) March 26, 2022
The opening try of the fixture also saw his tackle breaking and finishing potential, as he went over from close range.
Frisch’s recent rise seems fairly unexpected considering his age and background. For somebody relatively unknown, he is far from a youngster at 25-years-old, and has spent the majority of his career languishing in France’s third and second tier.
He joined Bristol from Pro D2 side Rouen, having had spells at other lower league sides such as Massy and Tarbes.
Below is a selection of some of his highlights from his time in France where he shows off more of those finishing skills as well as some slick passing and a strong hand-off.
In a statement for Bristol, Pat Lam thanked Frisch and also touched upon his international ambitions.
"Because he is Irish qualified, that's attracted the interest of the Irish Rugby Union and we are pleased he's been offered a good opportunity with Munster to chase his International dream.
"We thank Antoine for his contribution to the club and wish him the very best for the next chapter in Ireland."
Frisch will be joined by Malakai Fekitoa at Munster next season, with the former All Black also arriving from the Premiership, and the duo have the potential to form a very dangerous centre partnership. With the World Cup looming next year, you wonder will we be seeing Frisch in an Ireland jersey at some stage.
Ireland’s depth at centre is very healthy at the minute with Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose, and Robbie Henshaw guaranteed a World Cup spot if they are fit. James Hume is just below them and waiting to break through, while Stuart McCloskey and Chris Farrell are in the mix also, and not to mention Will Addison.
However, if Frisch can continue on his upward curve, and flourish under a new coaching ticket with Munster, he will certainly be considered a dark horse to travel with Ireland in 2023.
See Also: Donal Lenihan Wants To See Big Munster Games At Pairc Uí Chaoimh
