MUNSTER CENTRE Antoine Frisch has been released from the France camp after being called up this week.
Coach Fabien Galthie confirmed the star’s call-up after their Six Nations win over Wales last weekend.
Frisch is eligible to play for both France and Ireland but hasn’t lined-out for either side yet.
It looked like the 27-year-old was set to make France his preferred allegiance but now there is another twist in the tale.
France have confirmed this evening that Frisch is one of six stars that have been released from the camp and allowed return to their clubs.
When he was called-up, Galthie said: “The opportunity is there for him to take.
“He has put together a series of big performances for Munster where he is the undisputed first choice.”
In addition to having been based in Limerick since 2022, Frisch has an Irish grandmother so it had been assumed any international future lay with Andy Farrell’s men.
There were fears that if he played for Les Bleus he would attain Non-Irish qualified status for Munster.
This would have cast huge doubt over his long-term future with the province once his current deal in 2025 expires.
However, it now seems like Frisch’s allegiance will remain up in the air.
Frisch still may not be heading towards an Ireland cap though as coach Simon Easterby admitted his selection was not a major focus this week.
The defence coach said: “I don’t know whether they will cap him or they’ve just got him in for training. I worked with Frischy with Emerging Ireland, and he’s a great guy, good player.
“He’s unfortunately in a position of real strength for us and he might get into a few other teams given the opportunity.
“I’m obviously not fully aware of the situation around what’s happening this week around his selection, but he’s a good guy, good player and if he does get capped, then obviously that will change a few things, but it’s not one for me to worry about too much right now.”
Asked if he would still be in Andy Farrell’s thoughts if he did not feature in Lyon on Saturday, Easterby added: “It depends really.
“I certainly haven’t been involved in any conversations with Antoine, so I think that’s the important thing first – there is a conversation with Munster, with Faz around what his plans are.
“And then we will obviously find out a little bit more. It’s quite recent and we are probably waiting to see what happens this week, and then we can make a call on it.”