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Louis Picamoles
Posted: Thu May 04, 2017 6:21 pm
by openclashXX
back to France (Montpellier), it appears on a central contract
Northampton Saints number eight Louis Picamoles is reportedly set to return to France on a central contract with the FFR to join Montpellier.
Picamoles, 31, has enjoyed an outstanding first season in the Premiership, culminating with his name making the shortlist for the RPA Player of the Season award.
According to RMC Sport, Picamoles has two years left on his contract with Northampton but Montpellier owner Mohad Altrad is working on a deal to bring him back to France.
The number eight's possible move would mark a return to his roots, having left Montpellier back in 2009 to join Toulouse where he made his name as a back-row force in the Top 14 and Champions Cup.
Picamoles would be the first player ever to sign a joint contract between a Top 14 club and the FFR, with new president Bernard Laporte having discussed the possibility of central contracts earlier this season.
http://www.planetrugby.com/news/picamol ... to-france/
Re: Louis Picamoles
Posted: Thu May 04, 2017 6:25 pm
by Jeff the Bear
Central Contract? I wasn't aware the Frogs did that sort of thing?
Re: Louis Picamoles
Posted: Thu May 04, 2017 6:59 pm
by Hellraiser
Jeff the Bear wrote:Central Contract? I wasn't aware the Frogs did that sort of thing?
Laporte stated a couple of months ago that the FFR intended to introduce them.
http://www.the42.ie/ffr-union-contracts ... 7-Feb2017/
Re: Louis Picamoles
Posted: Thu May 04, 2017 7:00 pm
by Akkerman
what about pierre spies
Re: Louis Picamoles
Posted: Thu May 04, 2017 7:02 pm
by DragsterDriver
Can't blame him, he's looked out of place at Saints
Re: Louis Picamoles
Posted: Thu May 04, 2017 7:10 pm
by Double
Sounds about right. I hope Bris bounce straight back up so I have a premiership team to support when Saints get relegated next season.
Re: Louis Picamoles
Posted: Thu May 04, 2017 7:14 pm
by SaintK
Double wrote:Sounds about right. I hope Bris bounce straight back up so I have a premiership team to support when Saints get relegated next season.
Please don't go there
Re: Louis Picamoles
Posted: Thu May 04, 2017 7:15 pm
by Gospel
Real shame to lose him from the AP. He's been an absolute quality signing for tampon.
Re: Louis Picamoles
Posted: Thu May 04, 2017 8:42 pm
by Scrumhead
Gospel wrote:Real shame to lose him from the AP. He's been an absolute quality signing for tampon.
Yeah - I agree. I'm not a Saints fan but there's no doubt that he's been a great addition to the AP.
It seems as though we're entering a new era where contracts mean nothing which I really dislike. Far too football-like IMO.
Re: Louis Picamoles
Posted: Thu May 04, 2017 8:47 pm
by earl the beaver
Picamoles at 8 with Pienaar and Cruden at half back?
They'll be a force.
Re: Louis Picamoles
Posted: Thu May 04, 2017 9:42 pm
by Dork Lard
earl the beaver wrote:Picamoles at 8 with Pienaar and Cruden at half back?
They'll be a force.
Well at least that for this magnificent player. Montpellier will be a force, as opposed to a farce, the other team he plays for. He more than possibly anyone on the planet atm deserves so direly to be on a team on par with his quality.
Re: Louis Picamoles
Posted: Fri May 05, 2017 9:26 am
by Toulon's Not Toulouse
That seems a bit mad, he's been in the form of his life since the move north. The cash on offer must be insane.
Re: Louis Picamoles
Posted: Fri May 05, 2017 9:45 am
by Da iawn diolch
He's probably been the standout 8 in the AP this season, and comfortably Saints' best player. The latter might be the thing that drives him away, as you can't imagine he feels particularly inspired by being the only one turning in strong performances every week.
Re: Louis Picamoles
Posted: Fri May 05, 2017 11:04 am
by fatcat
Well I hope he f*cks off back to France before the end of today.
Re: Louis Picamoles
Posted: Fri May 05, 2017 11:53 am
by hermie
Akkerman wrote:what about pierre spies
Back to his natural habitat on the wing
Re: Louis Picamoles
Posted: Fri May 05, 2017 12:23 pm
by Dork Lard
Toulon's Not Toulouse wrote:That seems a bit mad, he's been in the form of his life since the move north. The cash on offer must be insane.
well MP would apparently need to pay a 700k "fine" for breaking his 2-year contract first and foremost. But I have a notion Altrad isn't afraid of zeros. They also want Huget and Fofana. It would be unfortunate for Fofana, but I reckon Huget could finally get that boost at 29yo he needs at this point in his career. Toulouse, especially for a back, is simply professional suicide atm.
With Cotter at the helm, MP could look mighty..mighty good in just some time.
Re: Louis Picamoles
Posted: Fri May 05, 2017 1:59 pm
by lexpat
hermie wrote:Akkerman wrote:what about pierre spies
Back to his natural habitat on the wing
Speculations : Spies might go to the Saints , an exchange a bit like Bridge of spies remake ?
Re: Louis Picamoles
Posted: Fri May 05, 2017 3:31 pm
by Torquemada 1420
Bad outcome for France. Saints have got him fit and relatively rested (fewer games).
Re: Louis Picamoles
Posted: Fri May 05, 2017 5:06 pm
by Dork Lard
Torquemada 1420 wrote:Bad outcome for France. Saints have got him fit and relatively rested (fewer games).
that's true. But at least he'll be in a winning environment, playing at the highest level both domestic and Euro. He'll have more time in his legs, yes, but with Cotter MP will be more offensive-minded than currently, and he's pure quality wherever he goes, he's just top drawer regardless, he'll practice hard, make sure he's just as efficient. At Rugby in pticular, there's a strong bounce-off effect of when a team is really good, the players get soaked with that. Some pretty ordinary players, who were on great teams, had a confidence and aura about them at the highest level. It carries through. Montpellier Pica will be a happy Pica. And happy Pica makes opponents very unhappy.
Re: Louis Picamoles
Posted: Fri May 05, 2017 5:53 pm
by Saint
Saints response in the local rag
Reports in France suggest Montpellier owner Mohad Altrad is trying to mastermind a deal to bring Picamoles home on a central contract with the FFR (French Rugby Federation). The Saints No.8 has been one of the stand-out players in the Aviva Premiership this season and has been nominated for the RPA players' player of the year prize. Picamoles has already been crowned Saints Supporters Club player of the season and looks extremely likely to receive more awards at the club's end-of-season dinner on Monday. Saints brought the 31-year-old in from Toulouse last summer, and he has been nothing short of a revelation. Picamoles, who moved from Montpellier to Toulouse in 2009, is believed to be one of the Saints' two marquee players, along with George North. And the club do not appear to have any intention of parting with one of their most prized assets. Hewitt said: "While we do not comment on rumours, I can confirm Louis has two more years left on his contract. "He has just won the Saints Supporters Club player of the year and we love having him as part of our squad at Franklin's Gardens." Picamoles insisted he knew nothing about the links with a move to Montpellier when he was questioned about the speculation by the French press. "I do not know," the Saints star said. “I have two years of contract here in Northampton, I have not heard anything about it.”
Read more at:
http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport ... -1-7947263
Now, if Altrad wants to offer Saints 3-4 million to buy out that contract, I suspect they might be interested, but it would need to be a LOT of money to make this work
Re: Louis Picamoles
Posted: Fri May 05, 2017 6:31 pm
by lexpat
Saint wrote:
Now, if Altrad wants to offer Saints 3-4 million to buy out that contract, I suspect they might be interested, but it would need to be a LOT of money to make this work
The Top14 has a few egocentric ahole owners, but altrat is by far the worst of them. He should f.ckoff to the football business.
Also as mentioned by Torque, perfidious Albion has been good for Pica.