Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Leinster face competition from Top 14 to sign Taniela Tupou - report

Taniel Tupou of the Rebels reacts during the round one Super Rugby Pacific match between Melbourne Rebels and ACT Brumbies at AAMI Park, on February 23, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Australia tighthead prop Taniela Tupou has been approached by Top 14 outfit Montpellier, according to French outlet Midi Olympique

ADVERTISEMENT

The 2022 Top 14 champions have joined Leinster in their pursuit of the 50-cap international, after reports emerged last week from Australia that the Irish giants are interested in replacing Michael Ala’alatoa with Tupou.

With Tupou’s current club, the Melbourne Rebels, facing an uncertain future beyond this current Super Rugby Pacific season, European clubs look poised to pounce on the opportunity to offer him a deal at the end of the season. This is despite the 27-year-old being contracted to Rugby Australia until 2025, the same year the Wallabies are set to face the British & Irish Lions.

Video Spacer

How do the Springboks beat Ireland in July series? | RPTV

The Boks Office on what the Springboks need to do to beat a very strong Ireland side in their series in July. Watch the full show on RugbyPass TV

Watch now

Video Spacer

How do the Springboks beat Ireland in July series? | RPTV

The Boks Office on what the Springboks need to do to beat a very strong Ireland side in their series in July. Watch the full show on RugbyPass TV

Watch now

Montpellier appear to be assembling a formidable pack ahead of next season with France tighthead Mohamed Haouas linked with a return, and with the announcement of England No8 Billy Vunipola’s arrival expected imminently. That is to add to a pack that is not exactly lacking for size at the moment, with the likes of France lock Paul Willemse and former England tighthead Harry Williams on their books.

Despite this recruitment drive ahead of next season, Montpellier’s priority will be to survive this current campaign in the Top 14, where they sit second from bottom following a 54-7 loss to Toulon on Saturday. As it stands, they will have to face the play-off winner in the ProD2 (the league below) in order to remain in the league.

Things are not going much better for Tupou in Melbourne, where he has not made the impact he would have wanted after signing from the Reds for this new season. He started on the bench in the 54-28 loss to the Hurricanes on Friday after failing to even make it to half time the week before against his former side.

Related

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

1 Comment
f
finn 240 days ago

this seems like a real shame for ireland, given the need to develop new props.

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

LONG READ
LONG READ Despite defeat in Paris, the real reason the All Blacks are feeling upbeat Despite defeat in Paris, the real reason the All Blacks are feeling upbeat
Search