The return of Simon Zebo to Munster was warmly welcomed yesterday as the Province’s record try scorer is set to return from his three-year stay in France.
The IRFU has assisted in meeting what is reported to be a reduced salary on what he might have earned through staying at Racing 92 or moving to London Irish as had been mooted.
It means he will be available not only for Munster but also, once again for Ireland.
His departure the year before the Rugby World Cup in Japan led to his being excluded from the Irish panel from the moment his planned transfer was announced.
Coming at a time when tensions were mounting over the ability of players to switch nationality in rugby terms through a short residency clause, that did not go down well in certain circles.
Munster fans, in particular, felt at the time that it was not a level playing field with Johnathon Sexton having retained his place in Ireland’s set up while he went to France.
The policy was otherwise strictly enforced and while harsh on the individuals and perhaps injurious to Ireland’s performance at the international level, you could not argue with the positive impact on Ireland’s provinces from that added benefit of players staying at home.
In straitened financial circumstances, there may be a greater exodus of top players in the next twelve to eighteen months but after the departure of JJ Hanrahan and Darren Sweetnam in the opposite direction, the return of Zebo is nonetheless a major positive.
The benefits will be felt off the field as well with his personality and style always playing well with fans.
Munster Rugby’s partners Bank of Ireland, Guinness, LifeStyle Sports, Laya Healthcare, Pinergy and Vodafone, all of whom are members of the Sport for Business community will no doubt be taking a close look at how they can tap into that positivity.
Sport for Business Partners
