Saints fight to keep Picamoles

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS are digging their heals in with Montpellier over the release of back row star Louis Picamoles from the final two years of his contract. Premiership Player-of-the Year nominee Picamoles wants to leave Franklin’s Gardens after only a season and rejoin Montpellier where he had a fiveyear stint earlier in his career.

Montpellier owner Mohed Altrad has claimed to the French media that Picamoles has signed a pre-contract and that he will join after France’s summer tour of South Africa.

Blindside has been told he has already moved his family back to France and compensation of around £1m is on the table.

Saints aren’t keen on allowing one of their marquee signings to leave especially as they will struggle to find a suitable replacement this late in proceedings.

It would appear that Montpellier aren’t confident the deal will happen despite all their public confidence.

“Altrad is trying his best to make this deal happen but privately they are saying that they are not sure that Northampton will allow it,” said a French source.