Simon Zebo is being linked with a surprise move to London Irish.
The winger-turned-full-back is out of contract at Racing 92 in the summer, and the option of an additional year was not exercised by the French Top 14 outfit.
However, the impending arrival of Gael Fickou has made the 31-year old's departure all the more inevitable.
Zebo's spent three seasons at Racing, scoring 22 tries in 53 appearances.
A potential return to Munster has frequently been bandied about, with Zebo still harbouring ambitions of playing at the 2023 Rugby World Cup back in France.
"I would really love to do it," he said of a Munster return earlier this year, "But sometimes you don't get dealt those cards.
"I genuinely love life in Paris - I could not be happier day-to-day and my family do too. There would be a lot going into that decision.
"The World Cup [in 2023] is there but I would probably be too old so that wouldn't hold much weight!"
The numbers could yet allow for a Zebo comeback on Leeside, with the likes of JJ Hanrahan, Darren Sweetnam and the retiring Billy Holland all leaving their payroll at the end of the season.
"Zeebs is a brilliant player and we wish him the very best," Munster head coach Johann van Graan said earlier this month, without being drawn on a potential return.
Should the Munster move not come to pass, then London Irish lie in wait.
Their director of rugby is the man who gave Zebo his international debut - Declan Kidney. They're also coached by Les Kiss, with whom Zebo will have worked with with Ireland.
Former Ireland internationals Sean O'Brien and Paddy Jackson currently populate the Exiles' squad as well.
London Irish haven't denied the link, according to Rugbyrama.
However, a move to the Brentford Community Stadium would end those World Cup ambitions once and for all.
