Zebo’s fitting farewell to Thomond Park

It will not just be Munster supporters who will miss the opportunity to relish the flair of Simon Zebo when he departs these shores for a new life in Paris with Racing 92 this summer.

The moment of brilliance that blew Saturday’s game wide open and secured a PRO14 semi-final against Leinster on May 19 was a reminder of the X factor the Cork-born full-back has brought to both the red of Munster and green of Ireland since his breakout season in 2011-12.

An off the cuff, broken-field chip-and-charge through the Edinburgh line, then a brilliant delivered long pass under pressure out to Keith Earls for the second try had the Thomond Park crowd chanting Zebo’s name one last time and the warmth continued as he and his young children made a farewell lap of honour at the end of this 20-16 victory.