Munster Rugby have reportedly signed Lyon full-back Turquil Abrahams for next season, with three other star players also re-signing with the Irish province.
Fan favourite Simon Zebo has announced he will retire at the end of this season, bringing an end to a stellar career.
Meanwhile, manager Graham Rowntree is wasting no time in searching for a replacement, with reports in France suggesting Abrahams has already signed for the team.
Taakir Abrahams signs with Munster
According to a report in the French publication Le ProgresAbrahams requested an early release from his contract with Top 14 side Lyon after just one season there in order to move to Munster.
He moved from the Sharks to Lyon at the start of the season but has struggled to get regular playing time with a side struggling in the Top 14, appearing in just 12 of their 32 games this season.
According to the report, Lyon accepted his request in order to free up a position on the club’s roster other than JIFF.
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The 25-year-old Abraham’s move to France was not a huge success, but his ability to play on the wing and full-back during his time with the Sharks drew comparisons with Cheslin Colby.
Blessed with incredible speed and an impressive side-step, Abraham has scored six tries in 12 appearances for Lyon this season, including five tries in the Investec Champions Cup against Bristol Bears and two against Connacht.
Everyone, please try out the season candidates 🤩Vodacom #URC | #Ravesha pic.twitter.com/JbtlS6PyOf
— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) October 8, 2022
He also appeared in the Investec Champions Cup four times, beating 24 defenders to win nine consecutive times.
Abrahams is set to become Munster’s fourth signing for next season, following the signings of Billy Burns from Ulster and Tom Farrell and Diarmuid Kilgallen from Connacht.
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Archer, Kilcoyne and Nash re-sign
Meanwhile, Munster have announced that the province’s record appearance holder Stephen Archer has signed a six-month contract extension until the end of January 2025.
The 36-year-old made his state debut in 2009 and has played 281 games since then, winning the URC title last season.
Fellow front-rower Dave Kilcoyne has signed a one-year contract extension with Munster until the end of the 2024/25 season, while Calvin Nash has extended his current deal, which expires at the end of next season, to keep him at Munster until at least 2026.
read more: Ireland: Who will replace fullback Hugo Keenan against the Springboks?
