Negotiations underway to bring Portugal star Nicolas Martins back to Top 14

Lobos superstar Nicolás Martins might be about to re-join the Top 14, as Racing 92 are looking to sign the utility forward, although a deal is still far from being done.

Martins signed for Colomiers in 2025 after a disappointing season with Montpellier, penning a two-year deal. The Pro D2 side will only allow the flanker to leave for a buyout fee, which has been the only obstacle to continuing negotiations.

Racing 92’s interest in adding Nicolás Martins to their roster stems from Olivier Azam, who worked with the flanker in the Lobos setup in 2025.

The 27-year-old has been enjoying a stellar season in the Pro D2 and for Portugal, helping the Lobos conquer the Men’s Rugby Europe Championship for the first time in 22 years. The flanker started in all five games of the Lobos remarkable campaign, wrapping up as the competition’s most successful tackler and prime lineout stealer.

His rise to international stardom kicked off in 2022, when Patrice Lagisquet selected the flanker for the Final Qualification Tournament, which saw the Lobos qualify for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Martins went on to score Portugal’s first try of the competition against Wales and was involved in his side’s sensational win over Fiji.

Fixture

Pro D2

Provence Rugby

20 - 25

Full-time

Colomiers

All Stats and Data

With Racing 92 still striving to qualify for the Top 14 play-offs, the Parisian side are looking to add more firepower to its squad with Maxime Machenaud rumoured to join the club.

Unfortunately for Colomiers, Martins isn’t the only top-level player about to leave after June, as Anzelo Tuitavuki has already signed with the Dragons in the United Rugby Championship, while Rodrigo Marta is on the verge of joining Pau. However, and as already stated, negotiations are still ongoing and nothing is certain at this time.

With the Rugby World Cup on the horizon, the flanker’s future destination will play a key role in the Lobos goals for Australia 2027.