Injured Antoine Frisch has had no luck since leaving Munster

Toulon centre has been dogged by injury since moving to the Top 14, and is now sidelined again until March

STRICKEN: Toulon's Antoine Frisch (black) chases Harlequins' flanker Jack Kenningham in the Champions Cup last January at the Stade Mayol

Former Munster and Emerging Ireland centre Antoine Frisch’s injury-blighted French rugby career has suffered another major setback, after it was confirmed he will be sidelined for up to five months following surgery on a recurring foot injury.

Having turned his back on the prospect of an international call-up with Ireland through family connections, Fontainebleau-born Frisch arrived at Top 14 side Toulon from Munster on a three-season deal in time for the 2024-25 season with two France caps to his name, having toured Argentina and Uruguay with Fabien Galthie’s squad that July, scoring a try on his debut.

But a broken foot cut his first season short in January, after just 11 appearances, including three in the Champions Cup. He missed the rest of the campaign, and Les Bleus’ tour of New Zealand, only returning to action for his club at the end of September.

He scored his first Toulon try in the 33-17 victory over Pau at Stade Mayol on October 4th, his second and most recent outing for the club.

Two days before Toulon host Racing 92 in Sunday night’s primetime Top 14 outing, manager Pierre Mignoni told journalists: “Antoine will undergo foot surgery next week. It’s the same [injury] as last season. He’s very disappointed because it’s his second season with us. Last year, he was dogged by injuries.

“A choice was made at the time. Unfortunately it didn’t hold up. He needs an operation. He’ll be back in March.” 

The length of Frisch’s absence means Toulon could look to recruit a medical joker as cover on a short-term contract, but Mignoni insisted his squad had enough midfield cover, with veterans Ma’a Nonu, Jérémy Sinzelle, and Juan Ignacio Brex, as well as Mathieu Smaïli and rising star Oliver Cowie, to handle the 29-year-old’s absence.

The club’s priority is in the second row. Toulon have been on the lookout for a suitable player to cover the long-term absence of twice-capped 24-year-old Matthias Halagahu, who had surgery on a foot injury that will keep him out of action for up to six months.