Ross Byrne linked with shock move to Top 14

Leinster and Ireland fly-half Ross Byrne has been linked with a potential move to France’s Top 14 this summer. Reports in French media suggest Montpellier are interested in signing the 29-year-old as they seek to strengthen their squad.

Byrne’s possible move to France comes as Leinster’s fly-half options have grown more crowded. Ciaran Frawley, who has started three of Leinster’s five URC matches this season, appears to be the preferred choice for the role.

Byrne has started just one game to date.

Rising talent Sam Prendergast is also highly regarded, with many tipping him as the future of the position for both Leinster and Ireland. Byrne’s younger brother Harry is also competing for the same spot.

While the IRFU system rarely loses top players to France, reports this weekend from Midi Olympique have linked Byrne with a move to Bernard Laporte's Montpellier.

The French big-spenders currently sit 12th in the Top 14 table, having won only two of their opening seven matches. They may well see Byrne as a seasoned player who could steady the ship for the 2022 Bouclier de Brennus winners.

Byrne has certainly been a consistent figure for Leinster but with the emergence of Frawley and Prendergast, he has found himself facing the prospect of falling down the pecking order at ten. In this context, the opportunity to join Montpellier may be an attractive option for St Michael's product, though a move to France would end his involvement at Test level, where he's earned 23 caps to date.

According to Midi's sources Byrne is open to the switch none-the-less. If he does leave Ireland he could be joined by some New Zealander star power in the halfback department, with MHR also reportedly interested in All Blacks scrum-half Finlay Christie.

Byrne has played 174 matches for Leinster to date - starting in 113 and scoring 1120. For Ireland, he has earned 23 caps, scoring 56 points, with all but four coming off the bench.