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Sam Simmonds' Montpellier replacement a blow for Wallabies – report


Montpellier's English back row Sam Simmonds (Photo by Sylvain Thomas/AFP via Getty Images)
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Former England back-rower Sam Simmonds will reportedly be replaced at Montpellier next season by a current Wallabies international. With Simmonds set to join Lyon for the 2025/26 Top 14, the 2022 champions have been searching for a successor for the player they signed from Exeter Chiefs… and their search has apparently ended in Sydney.

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Langi Gleeson has been forging his reputation at the Waratahs since a 2022 Super Rugby Pacific debut and fresh from involvement off the bench in all four of Australia’s recent Autumn Nations Series matches, it has been claimed that the 23-year-old now will put his 14-cap Test career on hold for a switch to France.

A report by rugbyrama.fr read: “There will be changes in the back row at Montpellier during the next off-season. According to our information, Joan Caudullo and his staff should be able to count on the services of Langi Gleeson during the 2025/2026 season.

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“The player who currently wears the colours of the Waratahs has given his agreement to give a new boost to his career and discover the French championship. Montpellier were looking for a number eight to replace Sam Simmonds in the squad, who will join Lyon.

“Despite being just 23 years old, Gleeson has 14 selections with Australia. Last November, he faced England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland with the Wallabies. In all four games, Gleeson wore the number 20 jersey.”

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NoLongerARuck 1 hour ago
‘South Africa has produced enough URC finalists. This season it needs a champion’

To be perfectly honest it will be difficuly. The Sharks have almost no hope, their team and squad seems weaker each year and they look like they are lacking X-factor in a number of areas and their coach is way too inexperienced. I wonder if they can even crack the top 8. The Lions dont have the depth or resources but they have cohesion and some really intriguing combos, making the top 8 again should be their target to build on the success of last season. The Stormers have made some big signings but those Boks may only be available for half the season and therin lies the problem for them. They have plenty of quality in the squad but they lose so much to the Boks and have serious player availability problems. The Bulls have signed some reliable performers but thats been to replace some world class performers who have left. Their squad looks weaker this year but they have some depth and experience and are the most likely to finish in the top 2 with a running game thats continuously evolving. Overall I dont see any of the franchises finishing 1st on the log which is an absolute must considering the dip in performances when they play away. Having said that Leinster (ageing squad, less depth), Glasgow (several star players left) and Munster (depth issues in several positions) all look weaker this year compared to last. So maybe that evens itself out as far as the SA franchises are concerned but only time will tell.

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