Munster Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus has has hailed Donnacha Ryan for his efforts in a red shirt, with an exit from the Irish province on the horizon.
While no official announcement has been made yet, it appears Ryan is on his way to France and a report in the Irish Examiner over the weekend has linked him with Ronan O'Gara's Racing 92.
Speaking at today's press conference in Limerick, Erasmus recognized the contribution of the Ireland international.
"We are disappointed, but we are happy for Donnacha," he said. "If that's what he wants to do [...] he's served Munster well. At his age he's probably got one big contract left in him.
"We made the best offer we could for two years. He did lose his national contract, we didn't get a national contract again. It was tough for us to afford him and when the likes of Racing and those guys make you offers, it's really big money which we can't compare with.
"It's sad on the one hand, we're really going to miss him. But we're happy for him."
Asked whether he was annoyed that Ryan was not offered a new contract, he said: "I'm definitely not annoyed. I fully understand that you only have so much money, even if you are the IRFU.
"You have to fit players into that budget. If Joe Schmidt and David Nucifora decide that those are the best players, they are the guys who have to stand in for the result of the national team.
"If they have other players who they think are better than that, we must respect them signing those players. In the end, they have to carry the results."
Looks Like The End: Donnacha Ryan (left) looks set to leave Munster, with reports linking him with a move to France. Image: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne
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