Simon Zebo returns home on one-year deal: 'Munster holds a very special place in my heart'

The Corkman is on his way back to his home province

Wed, 14 Apr, 2021 - 13:39

Brendan O'Brien

The possibility of returning to his home province "outweighed all other options" for Simon Zebo, who will play for Munster again next season.

The province has confirmed a one-year deal for their former winger, still their all-time leading try-scorer. The contract will be co-funded by the IRFU.

Zebo left Munster in 2018 for Racing 92. The return to his home province will make him eligible to compete for a place in Andy Farrell's Irish squad for the 2023 World Cup.

Munster tweeted: "Munster Rugby and @IrishRugby are pleased to announce that @SimonZebo has signed a one-year contract & will return to the province for the 2021/22 season.

"This co-funded contract will see Munster’s all-time record try-scorer return home."

📢 Munster Rugby and @IrishRugby are pleased to announce that @SimonZebo has signed a one-year contract & will return to the province for the 2021/22 season.

This co-funded contract will see Munster’s all-time record try-scorer return home.

Full details ⤵️#SUAF 🔴
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) April 14, 2021

Munster head coach Johann van Graan said: “The opportunity to bring Simon back to Munster came about in early April following a final review of our squad’s budgetary position for season-end and with assistance from the IRFU to support what we believe is a really good deal for Munster and Irish Rugby.

“Simon’s desire to return to Ireland and play with his home club is illustrated by his willingness to sign at a level below his market value elsewhere. This has made bringing the province’s all-time leading try-scorer back home, possible.”

Zebo added, “I am thrilled and honoured to be coming back home to play for Munster. My family and I have been so lucky to have enjoyed three incredible years with Racing 92 in Paris and I cannot thank the team there enough, I really have made friends for life and take with me some brilliant memories.

“However, as everyone knows, Munster holds a very special place in my heart and I’ve always said that I wanted to play for them and potentially Ireland again, so when this opportunity arose the lure of being close to home, family and friends and Munster fans, it outweighed all other options. I cannot wait to get back to the HPC with the team and hopefully a packed Thomond Park.”

Meanwhile, Munster have also announced that Ian Costello is to return to the club in the role of academy manager.

Costello has been working in England for the past five years, first as head coach with Nottingham in the Championship and, since 2018, as defence coach with Wasps.

He first worked with the Munster academy back in 2006 as part of his role as an IRFU Player Development officer, during which time he also worked with UL Bohemians.

He became Munster ‘A’ coach in 2011 and led the side to the B&I cup title in 2012 before a promotion to assistant coach with the senior side followed in 2014.

He will take up his new role in July.

“My family and I have had an incredible experience in the UK over the last five years at Nottingham and Wasps, but we are very excited for an opportunity to return home and once again work with Munster and the IRFU,” he said.

“I would particularly like to thank Wasps for the support and understanding they have shown me and my family. I am deeply passionate about Munster and Irish rugby and look forward to the challenge and responsibility of being part of developing the elite player pathway in Munster.”