Simon Zebo: ‘We need to get pride back in the jersey’

Simon Zebo insists he will “take time” to decide where his future lies as speculation mounts that the talented winger/fullback is set to play his rugby with Pau in France for the 2016/17 season.

Zebo admits negotiations surrounding his future are “still quite slow” but insists, nonetheless, that contract talks are not distracting him from his primary duty as a Munster player.

The Cork man says there is no deadline or timeline around his next contract, and that it is easy to put all the speculation to the side and concentrate on his job as a Munster player.

“I wouldn’t take on too much stress. I can just park it. I’m pretty comfortable to let the people working for me sort that stuff out and let me focus on the rugby. I just want to make sure it’s the best choice for me which ever happens. It’s something I’ll take time with to decide.

“It’s still quite slow at the moment so there hasn’t been much change. The closer I come to a decision it should be much clearer what way I’ll go.”

The flamboyant Ireland back may be coy over his future plans but is bullish about Munster’s bid to end a run of four consecutive losses when old foes, Leinster, pitch up at Thomond Park on Sunday. “Both teams need to get some winning momentum. We’re on the back of a couple of losses. It’s not easy to take on both sides. We’d set higher standards than that, so hopefully we’ll get the win this weekend because we need it and we’ve been showing some great signs of attacking play.

“People have been criticising us but I think we’re one pass or one offload away from being a team apart. I think it’s going to click sometime very soon, and hopefully it can be this weekend. I suppose it is unprecedented territory for us. Four successive losses for Munster is pretty much unacceptable; it’s unheard of. We need to get the pride back in the jersey and there’s no better fixture to do it than against the boys from Leinster.”

With Ireland camp around the corner, Zebo will be facing contenders for green jerseys in upcoming Pro12 games against Leinster and Ulster – games that could be termed “final trials” ahead of the 2016 Six Nations.

Does that come into his head? “It doesn’t come into my head at all to be honest. I’m just focusing on playing well for Munster, and just continuing to get my hands on the ball and do what I can do to help the team.

He adds: “Munster-Leinster is one of the biggest rivalries in rugby. Collectively, obviously, when we’re in Irish camp we’re all like brothers and friends but it’s the polar opposite when we’re with our provinces.

“I think the win is massively important to each side. To lose to them in Thomond Park would be unacceptable.”