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Blow for Leicester as Julian Montoya tipped to join Pau next season

176 days ago

Argentina skipper Julian Montoya is linked with an end-of-season move away from Leicester (Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)

Top 14 outfit Pau have emerged as the favourites to lure Argentina skipper Julian Montoya away from Leicester Tigers when his contract runs out at the end of this season. The soon-to-be 31-year-old hooker, who last month became the fourth Argentine to win a century of Test caps with Los Pumas, has been attracting the interest of several Top 14 sides after leading his country to historic wins over South Africa and Australia in recent weeks.

He has been a key player since arriving at Mattioli Woods Welford Road in January 2021 campaign after the Jaguares pulled out of Super Rugby. The following year he helped the Tigers win a Gallagher Premiership title.

Montoya has scored a remarkable 26 tries in 59 appearances for the Tigers but has yet to play a game for them this season because he has been away on international duty at The Rugby Championship.

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Midi Olympique revealed on Monday that Montoya would be spoilt for offers from admiring clubs across the Channel, but RugbyPass have learnt that Pau have edged ahead of their rivals in the race to sign him up.

His departure would be another blow for new Leicester boss Michael Cheika, who already looks set to lose Handre Pollard, the Springboks’ back-to-back Rugby World Cup winner. He looks set for a return to Japan when his current deal runs out next summer.

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The Tigers have offered England international forward Ollie Chessum a new deal to keep him at the club beyond the end of the season when his contract runs out.

His fellow internationals Dan Cole, Jack van Poortvliet, Dan Kelly, Freddie Steward and Anthony Watson are also all in the final year of their contracts with the club and need to agree to renewals.

Some quarters have suggested that some England stars are holding off on agreeing on new contracts until they receive offers of enhanced EPS contracts worth around £150,000 a year from the RFU.

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Comments

1 Comment

fl 175 days ago

could be good news for England!

Finn Theobold-Thomas and Archie Vanes both deserve a shot at first team rugby.

Join free and tell us what you really think!

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JB 10 minutes ago

Don't get out over your skis on the Highlanders

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4 Go to comments

SC 58 minutes ago

Why NZR's Ineos settlement may be the most important victory they'll enjoy this year

And before so one retorts that playing in Japan’s Top League makes you soft, I did not see any soft Springboks out on the pitch against the All Blacks last August/ September.

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SC 1 hour ago

Why NZR's Ineos settlement may be the most important victory they'll enjoy this year

If your point is that it is time to allow All Blacks with 50 or more test caps to play in Japan where they can make big money paid by Japanese corporations instead of by NZR, play fewer club matches in a less physical league to preserve their aging bodies, and still be available for the entire test season. then I agree with you.

This would also allow NZR to use the money to play higher wages to new All Blacks playing in Super Rugby encouraging them to stay in NZ longer and pursue the 50 All Black caps dream longer.

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Rucknroll 1 hour ago

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Man…prop ain’t a issue. We are seeing now tge same issue the all blacks were having. 13 ain’t flowing and the class the blues like the ABs have in the backline ain’t firing. We blamed 10…we looked at Reece…reality is, how does sevu go from top try scorer last year and current to barely touching the ball during the tour. When a 13 that actually sets up is inside sevu, he shines. But we don’t question the 13(reiko) much, he was a winger that is used to finishing and playing isolated. Not strong or physical enough to crack the midfield. He ain’t setting noone up. Barely looks for options when he has ball in hand(that’s if he catches it first).Both tries this year finishing on the wing. I think reikos time is up.

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Reach out to RecoveryBureauC (at) g m a iL, to monitor your suspected cheating partner’s phone with ease

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Can Samoa and Tonga ever become contenders when their top talent is skimmed?

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DM 2 hours ago

Can Samoa and Tonga ever become contenders when their top talent is skimmed?

1) Not sure but if the stand down period was say 5 years would he have ever played for them in the first place? Tonga did nothing towards his development, he’s never lived in the country.

2) It’s a mix at the moment. As you know Tonga and Samoa have always been made up largely of NZ born and/or raised players. It’s always been the case that the islands are the second option for NZ players who don’t quite make the ABs.

3) No it should be much longer, same as the residency rules should be longer than 5 years too. Would stop a fully fledged professional from one country representing another.

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