Argentine star Montoya ‘joins Tigers ahead of schedule’
LEICESTER Tigers are understood to have completed the signing of Argentina hooker Julian Montoya ahead of schedule.
The 63-times capped forward was expected to head to Welford Road ahead of the 2021/22 season.
But BBC Radio Leicester has reported that has been brought forward.
This is due to family visa issues preventing Montoya from completing a short-term deal with the Western Force in Australia before he was due to head to England this summer.
Montoya will add further strength to the Tigers’ hooker department with Tom Youngs, Charlie Clare, Jake Kerr, Shalva Mamukashvili already on their books.
He joins fellow countrymen Tomas Lavanini, Matias Moroni and Joaquin Diaz Bonilla at Tigers as the Argentinian influx into the Premiership continues to grow.
Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro (Bristol Bears), Facundo Cordero (Exeter Chiefs), Matías Alemanno and Santiago Carreras (both Gloucester), Agustín Creevy (London Irish), Matías Orlando, Mateo Carreras and Santiago Grondona (all Newcastle Falcons) have all arrived in the Premiership since the 2019/20 season resumed in August 2020.
Montoya made his Argentina debut in 2014 against Uruguay and has gone on to play in two Rugby World Cups, making 11 appearances, and has also appeared in 25 Rugby Championship games including starting the 25-15 victory over New Zealand in November.
The Rugby Paper reported on Sunday that fly-half Diaz Bonilla, who has made four Tigers appearances scoring 11 points, is in talks with head coach Steve Borthwick regarding a longer-term deal.
It also claimed that could see Zack Henry leave Welford Road as a result.