Donal Lenihan: Simon Zebo exit a blow but it won’t spark French exodus

Donal Lenihan believes Irish rugby fans will need to get used to losing players like Simon Zebo but does not expect an “exodus” to wealthy French clubs.

Zebo, 27, yesterday announced his intention to leave Munster when his contract is up at the end of the season, with Racing 92 at the top of the queue for the full-back.

The Cork man is expected to double his salary when he moves to Paris, but is likely to cut short his international career, with Joe Schmidt’s policy of only selecting home-based players set to continue despite the value of Zebo as a backline option.