Louis Picamoles signs a pre-contract to join Montpellier

Northampton Saints No 8 Louis Picamoles has signed a pre-contract agreement to rejoin Montpellier after France’s summer tour of South Africa, according to the Top 14 club’s president.

Mohed Altrad, the billionaire owner of Montpellier, said that he was working to free Picamoles from the final two years of his contract.

Jim Mallinder, the Northampton director of rugby, said there are no get-out clauses in Picamoles’ deal and that the club would not consider any bids for the No 8 who was voted player of the year at Franklin’s Gardens and was one of the five names on the Rugby Players Association player of the year shortlist.

His return to Montpellier would definitely be attractive for Picamoles, it is the club where he started his career before moving to Toulouse in 2009.

Altrad is quoted as saying that he will join Montpellier after France’s summer Tour:

“We signed what we call a pre-contract. Louis Picamoles should join us after the tour of the France team this summer.”

“Having said that, there are administrative issues with his current club that are being resolved. He has two years left, we are undoing this legal aspect,” Altrad said.