Bernard Jackman: Munster right to drive hard bargain for Antoine Frisch

Bernard Jackman believes Munster are fighting a losing battle to keep Antoine Frisch at the province next season, but says they're right to drive a hard bargain for the French centre.

Frisch has been the subject of speculation in the French media around his future in recent weeks, with the 27-year-old a target for a number of Top14 sides.

The midfielder is under contract at Munster until the summer of 2025, but with the former Bristol man likely to be called up by France for their summer tour of Argentina, he's expected to lose his status as an Irish-qualified player, which would limit Munster's ability to keep him beyond next summer.

Last week, Munster's attack coach Mike Prendergast said he expects Frisch to be a Munster player next season when is still under contract, but Jackman believes that to be a negotiation tactic from the province, as they look to gain compensation for potentially giving Frisch early release from his deal.

"I think Munster have to get a transfer fee, because they've been badly affected by this," Jackman told the RTÉ Rugby podcast.

"Munster have to get a transfer fee, because they've been badly affected by this..."