La Rochelle among Top 14 clubs eyeing up Antoine Frisch after he declares for France

O’Gara could seek to bolster his midfield options by taking advantage of Munster’s predicament after Frisch declared his intention to play for France rather than Ireland.

La Rochelle will face competition from the likes of Toulon and Montpellier, who are also understood to be monitoring the situation closely.

The 27-year-old joined Munster in 2022 and while he represented Emerging Ireland that did not ‘capture’ him to his adopted nation, whom he qualifies through his grandmother.

Frisch has been unable to force his way into Andy Farrell’s plans, which prompted Fabien Galthie to call up the former Stade Francais man during the Six Nations.

Despite Farrell making it clear that Frisch was still on his radar ahead of Ireland’s summer tour to South Africa, it now appears as though he will get capped by France in Argentina, which would create a major headache for Munster.

“I have been in contact with Fabien Galthie for a long time and this contact has never been interrupted. From the moment I was called into the France group, it became very clear to me. I want to play for France,” Frisch told L’Équipe.

The latest development is the last thing Graham Rowntree needed, as he prepares for Sunday’s Champions Cup clash in Northampton, which tighthead John Ryan will miss after being handed a three-game ban for a dangerous clear-out last weekend.

Fresh after being forced to let RG Snyman leave for Leinster this summer, Munster may be about to face a similar dilemma, as they already have a NIQ (non-Irish qualified) centre on their books in New Zealander Alex Nankivell, whose current contract, like Frisch’s, also runs until 2025.

Meanwhile, Garry Ringrose could miss Leinster’s game against Leicester tomorrow night, with 22-year-old centre Jamie Osborne on standby to start at the Aviva Stadium.