SIMON SAYS YES

DAVID: HE WILL LIGHT IT UP NOW Zebo: I’ve enjoyed three great years in Paris but I’ve always wanted to play for Munster again.. & possibly Ireland

FORMER Munster and Ireland legend David Wallace can’t wait to see Simon Zebo’s megawatt grin in Thomond Park again.

“Simon is a terrific signing and, if anything, he is coming back an even better player than when he left,” said Wallace (above).

“He did really well, improved his game in France. Even better for

Munster fans, he will come back and play with a smile on his face and bring smiles to those who are watching.”

Wallace expects Andy

Farrell, a different type of head coach to Joe Schmidt, to add Zebo to his Ireland plans with immediate effect.

“I don’t think it is any secret that before Zeebs left he found it stressful playing for Ireland. They maybe wanted him to do things that didn’t come naturally to his style of play and you could see when he was playing they’d taken some of that joy away.

“Simon was different from the other Irish players when he was here, he had a different way about him.

“I am not saying it was ‘better’ but it was certainly his way and it came from the fact he is so dynamic and has a great imagination when he is on the ball.

“This could be a great signing and while I was surprised it was only a one-year deal, it would be nice to think there is some sort of option for a second year and more if it is working out.”

MUNSTER’S prodigal son Simon Zebo is thrilled to be coming home after a threeseason stay in Paris.

The Reds have called the one-year deal a bargain at the price negotiated and labelled it ‘co-funded’ which seems an unnecessary phrase given all the provincial players are funded by the IRFU.

It maybe that Zebo has secured some central contract top-up; or, less likely, there is a benefactor adding to the package, which would be a first for the province. “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,” said Zebo yesterday. “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 Thomond Park.

“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.

“I cannot wait to get back to the HPC with the team and hopefully a packed Thomond Park.”

Munster boss Johann van Graan has concentrated on Mike Haley, Andrew Conway and Keith Earls as his first-choice back-three this season, while Shane Daly broke into the Irish panel.

Choosing which jersey to play Zebo in will be a challenge, albeit there is suggestion that, similar to Wales’s George North, there could be a place for him or Earls at No13.

“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,” said van Graan yesterday. “And has come about 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 tryscorer back home possible.”

Zebo will immediately become available for Ireland and could be selected for the potential Pacific Island tour this summer unless asked – as his current Racing club-mate Finn Russell will be – to join The Lions.

Never quite a favourite of Joe Schmidt, Zebo’s 35 caps and 25 wins in an Ireland shirt featured some notable scalps such as New Zealand (2016) South Africa and Australia.

A six Nations winner, he started four of the five Six Nations games in the championship-winning 2015 season.

Munster holds a very special place in my heart. I cannot wait to get back to a packed Thomond Park.