Leicester move for powerhouse Puma Montoya
LEICESTER Tigers have signed Argentina hooker Julian Montoya who will move to Welford Road ahead of the 202122 campaign.
Montoya, 26, will see out the rest of his contract with Super Rugby outfit the Jaguares and then switch to the East Midlands. The Tigers have moved quickly for the 59 times capped star who was his country’s first choice No.2 at the World Cup in Japan last year.
He was one of several Pumas to come onto the market earlier this month after the Argentinian union told them to look for contracts abroad. Last year Montoya was close to joining Gloucester only to have a last minute change of heart and pen a new deal to remain in his homeland. The Tigers moved quickly to secure him to provide competition for Tom Youngs, Jake Kerr and Shalva Mamukashvili who all currently play in the middle of the front row.
The news that Montoya is on his way is some welcome good news for the Tigers with a host of their current squad unhappy at being asked to take pay cuts.
Blindside reported last week that Telusa Veainu is set to lead the exodus of players and Argentina second row Tomas Lavanini, who is wanted by Stade Francais, could follow him out the door.
Meanwhile, the Tigers are also understood to once again be taking an interest in the Pumas’ Matias Alemanno, right, who is coming to the end of his UAR contract.
But Blindside understands London Irish are the favourites to land him which will come as a blow to the Tigers who were first interested in him following the World Cup.