FRANKIE SHEAHAN looks set to follow the route to the French Top-14 of fellow Munster front-rower Timmy Ryan by joining Brive. The Heineken Cup holders yesterday confirmed that Ryan is to link up with Felipe Contepomi and Jonny Wilkinson, among other marquee names, at Toulon, while Sheahan spent last weekend in Brive, where negotiations are in an advanced stage for the former Irish hooker to join next season.

Sheahan has been offered the choice of a two-year deal or a one-year contract with the option of a second season, and is veering toward the latter. “I spent the weekend there taking in the Brive-Montauban match. There’s a load of ambition there and I’m very close to signing,” said Sheahan.

The 29-time capped Irish hooker, who has played for Munster 153 times in his 13 seasons with the province, will be linking up with new recruit Rikki Flutey, as well as Steve Thompson and Andy Goode. Sheahan is one of 11 players either being released by Munster or retiring. In contrast, Ryan has turned down a lucrative full-time contract with the province to join Toulon.

“While I believe it will benefit my game in the short term to experience a foreign rugby culture,” said the Cork Constitution prop, “I would hopefully see myself returning to Munster in the future and continuing my career in what is a superb set-up.”

Against that, lock Mick O’Driscoll has accepted a new contract. The 33-year-old, who has captained Munster in seven of the 17 competitive games he has played this season, has spent two years in Perpignan, but rejected overtures from French clubs to commit himself to Munster for the next two seasons.

“I’m delighted my immediate future in rugby has been resolved,” said O’Driscoll. “I would like to thank Garrett Fitzgerald (Munster chief executive) and all involved for their help in bringing the issue to a satisfactory conclusion.”

Munster completed their preparations for tomorrow’s semi-final with a final, closed training session in Musgrave Park, Cork, yesterday, and will depart for Dublin tomorrow by train from the city, picking up the Limerick contingent at Limerick Junction, before arriving in Heuston Station in the early afternoon.

The match-day 22 will be submitted to ERC tomorrow at noon.