Staff Reporter.
@GalloImages.
South Africa centre Damian de Allende said Tuesday his two-year stint with Irish province Munster will finish at the end of the season.
The 30-year-old has ruled out following Munster coach Johann van Graan to Bath next season and could return to Japan.
The 2019 World Cup winner has made 31 appearances for Munster since joining from Japan’s Panasonic Wild Knights two years ago.
“I’m not staying at Munster, but it hasn’t been confirmed where I’m going,” he told a news conference.
“I’m not staying in Europe, so I’m definitely not going to Bath, I haven’t spoken to anyone at Bath.”
The hard-charging Springbok midfielder added: “I will not be staying in Europe as of the end of the season, which is unfortunate.
De Allende, however, has focused his attention on the Leinster clash in the United Rugby Championship on Saturday in what he expects to be a significant test.
“It’s quite tough, it’s quite challenging because it almost feels like a Test match. They have quite a few internationals and experience in the team. What they bring to the match, the intensity is higher, the physicality is similar as well, but it’s one game as a player you want to challenge yourself against,” he said.
“They are one of the best teams in Europe in the past few years. Like I say all the time, you want to test yourself against the best players and the majority of the team are some of the best players in Ireland, that’s why they represent Ireland, and did quite well in the Six Nations.
“A lot of the guys are looking forward to the challenge, and we’re excited to have the fans back at Thomond Park, and it’ll be an incredible atmosphere on Saturday.