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Montpellier take new French transfer trend to the extreme

319 days ago

England's back row Billy Vunipola warms up during the France 2023 Rugby World Cup semi-final match between England and South Africa at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, on the outskirts of Paris, on October 21, 2023. (Photo by EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP) (Photo by EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images)

Bernard Laporte’s Montpellier are taking a growing trend in French rugby to the extreme by loaning out nearly one-fifth of their side to other clubs next season.

The trend of loaning players has increased in recent years in French rugby, with clubs looking to get players off their salary books while simultaneously giving their younger athletes playing time that is difficult to afford them as part of a larger squad.

Montpellier has confirmed it is loaning out eight players for the next season to various clubs in the Top 14, Pro D2 and Nationale.

Head coach Andy Farrell on Ireland’s famous win over Springboks

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The players and their new clubs are as follows: Adrien Sonzogni to RCME Massy (Nationale), Valentin Welsch to Aurillac (Pro D2), Mathieu Uhila to Vannes (Top 14), Maël Perrin to Aurillac (Pro D2), Alexander Masibaka to Angoulême (Pro D2), Gabin Rocher to Nevers (Pro D2), Karl Martin to Aurillac (Pro D2) and Alexandre De Nardi to Mont de Marsan (Pro D2).

This strategy is part of Bernard Laporte’s new recruitment drive following the club’s avoidance of relegation in 2024.

The Top 14 champions in 2022, Montpellier are making a serious investment in new personnel. They have signed Mohamed Haouas, Nika Abuladze, Nicolás Martins, Stuart Hogg and Billy Vunipola – among others – as they aim to drag themselves out of the mire that was the 2023/24 season.

The Top 14 season is set to begin on September 7th, with Montpellier hosting Lyon.

Players In

Wilfrid Hounkpatin, Prop, 32 y/o, Castres (FRA)
Mohamed Haouas, Prop, 30 y/o, Biarritz (FRA)
Nika Abuladze, Prop, 28 y/o, Exeter (ENG)
Billy Vunipola, Back row, 31 y/o, Saracens (ENG)
Nicolas Martins, Back row, 25 y/o, Soyaux-Angoulême (FRA)
Alexis Bernadet, Scrum-half, 23 y/o, Montauban (FRA)
Domingo Miotti, Fly-half, 28 y/o, Oyonnax (FRA)
Thomas Vincent, Fly-half, 24 y/o, Agen (FRA)
Luka Matkava, Fly-half, 22 y/o, Black Lion (GEO)
Christa Powell, Centre, 27 y/o, Aurillac (FRA)
Madosh Tambwe, Winger, 27 y/o, Bordeaux (FRA)
Maël Moustin, Winger, 21 y/o, Bordeaux (FRA)
Stuart Hogg, Fullback, 32 y/o, Exeter (ENG)
Joshua Moorby, Fullback, 25 y/o, Hurricanes (NZL)

Players Out

Grégory Fichten, Prop, 33 y/o, Narbonne (FRA)
Harry Williams, Prop, 32 y/o, Pau (FRA)
Karl Tu’inukuafe, Prop, 31 y/o
Titi Lamositele, Prop, 29 y/o, Harlequins (ENG)
Lasha Macharashvili, Prop, 25 y/o, Agen (FRA)
Valentin Welsch, Prop, 21 y/o, Loaned to Aurillac (FRA)
Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Hooker, 28 y/o, Western Force (AUS)
Adrien Sonzogni, Hooker, 21 y/o, Loaned to Massy (FRA)
Masivesi Dakuwaqa, Back row, 30 y/o, Biarritz (FRA)
Clément Doumenc, Back row, 27 y/o, Béziers (FRA)
Aubin Eymeri, Scrum-half, 22 y/o, Chambéry (FRA)
Louis Carbonel, Fly-half, 25 y/o, Paris (FRA)
Louis Foursans-Bourdette, Fly-half, 22 y/o, Paris (FRA)
Geoffrey Doumayrou, Centre, 34 y/o, Retirement
Ben Lam, Winger, 33 y/o
Alexandre De Nardi, Fullback, 25 y/o, Loaned to Mont-de-Marsan (FRA)

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 17 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 17 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 17 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 17 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 17 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 17 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 17 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 17 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 17 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 17 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 17 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 17 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 17 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 17 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 17 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 17 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 17 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 17 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍