‘I am thrilled and honoured to be coming back home ‘ – Simon Zebo signs one-year Munster deal

Simon Zebo of Racing 92 facing Munster at Thomond Park in 2019. Zebo will rejoin his former club this summer. (Photo By Diarmuid Greene/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

John Fallon

April 14 2021 11:48 AM

Munster’s record try scorer Simon Zebo says he is ‘thrilled and honoured’ to re-sign for his home province after three seasons in France.

Zebo has penned a one-year contract with Munster, a deal which is co-funded by the IRFU, and the Cork man will link up with the squad ahead of the new season.

Zebo (31), made the switch to Racing 92 after coach Johann van Graan’s first season in charge at the province, and van Graan confirmed that Zebo’s return has been made possible by his willingness to accept a contract at ‘a level below his market value elsewhere’.

Following a three-year absence from the Ireland squad, Zebo is expected to fight his way into Andy Farrell’s plans with a view to starring at the Rugby World Cup in France in two years’ time.

“I am thrilled and honoured to be coming back home to play for Munster,” said Zebo.

“My family and I have been so lucky to have enjoyed three incredible years with Racing 92 in Paris and I cannot thank the team there enough, I really have made friends for life and take with me some brilliant memories.

“However, as everyone knows, Munster holds a very special place in my heart and I’ve always said that I wanted to play for them and potentially Ireland again, so when this opportunity arose the lure of being close to home, family and friends and Munster fans, it outweighed all other options. I cannot wait to get back to the HPC with the team and hopefully a packed Thomond Park.”

Following the recent departure of Darren Sweetnam to La Rochelle and Alex Wootton’s loan move to Connacht this season, Zebo still returns to a congested back three in the province, where current Ireland internationals Keith Earls, Andrew Conway, Shane Daly and Mike Haley have shown form.

Van Graan says he is happy to be adding Munster’s record try scorer to his ranks once more.

“The opportunity to bring Simon back to Munster came about in early April following a final review of our squad’s budgetary position for season-end and with assistance from the IRFU to support what we believe is a really good deal for Munster and Irish Rugby.

“Simon’s desire to return to Ireland and play with his home club is illustrated by his willingness to sign at a level below his market value elsewhere. This has made bringing the province’s all-time leading try-scorer back home, possible.”