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Montpellier sign Portugal star Nicolás Martins
By Francisco Isaac
Portugal star Nicolás Martins has signed for Top 14 strugglers Montpellier, and will work under director of rugby Bernard Laporte from July until 2026.
Martins, who is not an academy French player (JIFF program), made it through the ranks playing for Castanet in Fédérale 1 in 2021/22 (at the time, France’s 4th division), before moving to ProD2 side Soyaux Angoulême XV Charente.
Martins' career took an astronomical turn when Patrice Lagisquet called him up for Os Lobos for the 2022 Summer Tour, solidifying his status as a first-team player in 2023, and finishing as one of the top tacklers at the Rugby World Cup.
At 25 years of age, Martins will have his first taste of the Top 14 and it is expected to be an intense fight to earn a starting berth, as Montpellier will have a powerful set of loose forwards at their disposal with the likes of Lenni Nouchi, Yacouba Camara, Sam Simmonds, and Billy Vunipola.
RugbyPass approached Martins for a comment, but the loose forward made no remarks as he is still committed to helping SAXV, as they are currently fighting to avoid relegation from the ProD2.
Montpellier are also in a relegation scrap, as they languish in 13th place. If Laporte’s team finish 13th, they will be forced to play a play-off match against the ProD2 runner-up, to be determined in June.
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Latest Comments
Thank goodness he wasn't born in Scotland, he'd have been a great candidate for the Scottish Barbarians. I wouldn't put it past them to push for a “where the player was conceived” rule 😂
Go to commentsOwen Farrell is one of the most polarising figures in the game. His entire attitude on the field (and sometimes off of it) smacks of arrogance and he is about as brash as Donald Trump in a political debate. Yet behind that facade is a calculating, determined and powerful leader who drives any team forward with an Iron will. You are right in that he gets better in the heat of battle and in the face of overwhelming odds. He develops a narrow focus and he delivers his best in a way that few others can. He is one of Englands great performers who sacrificed alot for the team and who often bears the weight of responsibility of leadership alone on the field and in front of the media. Despite what many think of him he is a fantastic game manager with a good rugby brain. He will be sorely missed from the international stage
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