MHR: Impressive arms, a stint in the United States… 5 things to know about Ryan Louwrens, the new Montpellier scrum-half

Ryan Louwrens, nouvelle recrue du MHR, lors d’un entraînement en février 2020 Melbourne Rebels/Twitter

To compensate for the absence of double world champion Cobus Reinach, who is currently playing in the Rugby Championship with South Africa, the MHR has decided to put its faith in another South African scrum-half named Ryan Louwrens. Discover five things to know about the new MHR recruit.

A photo of his arms has gone viral

When you Google “Ryan Louwrens”, the first photo that appears shows him wearing a simple tank top receiving a tennis ball. This photo taken in February 2020 quickly made the rounds on social networks.

💪 pic.twitter.com/gnR7LDx6xd

— Melbourne Rebels (@MelbourneRebels) February 17, 2020

This is also the profile picture of the rugby player's Instagram account. His biceps quickly caught the attention of fans around the world as well as bodybuilders, as the arms of the former Melbourne Rebels player seem sharp.

He was suspended for two years at the start of his career

Born on March 12, 1991, Ryan Louwrens almost ruined his career in 2009. Then aged eighteen, he was suspended for two years by the South African Rugby Union Disciplinary Tribunal after testing positive for steroids.

In a 2013 interview, he said “I was young and stupid”. “I wouldn't say I wasn't aware. I wasn't informed about the substance at all. It was pretty stupid of me and for two years I couldn't play rugby at any level”. He nevertheless came out of this difficult period and he joined the MHR this summer for a new challenge at 33 years old.

He played in three different championships before his arrival in Top 14

Originally from Johannesburg, Ryan, then a teenager, moved with his parents to the city of Perth in Australia. He joined the professional squad of the Western Force franchise in 2014. Four seasons later, he decided to go to Japan and join the Kintetsu Liners franchise. In 2020, he returned to Australia but this time to Melbourne.

A two-stage stint because the following year, Louwrens did a stint in the United States in Major League Rugby with Austin Gilgronis' Texan team. In 2024, his club, the Melbourne Rebels, was unfortunately liquidated. With 14 matches under his belt this year, the scrum-half was looking for a new challenge and that's what he got with his arrival at Montpellier.

He could have joined the SUA in 2021

The South African could have landed on Agen soil in 2021 and joined the ranks of Sporting Union Agen. At the time, the managers were looking for a replacement for Paul Abadie who had just signed up for two seasons with CA Brive.

Louwrens will even subscribe to the SUA Instagram account, fueling rumors on his subject. Lot-et-Garonnais supporters will wait in vain for the club to become official. The player prefers to live the American dream by signing for the Austin Gilgronis team.

He knows another MHR summer recruit very well

Louwrens is not the only Melbourne Rebels player to arrive at MHR since Australian international hooker Jordan Uelese (27 years old, 19 caps) was recruited at the end of July by the Montpellier club.

The two former teammates know each other very well since Uelese spent eight seasons at the Rebels, including three with Louwrens. The South African scrum half will be able to count on an acquaintance to facilitate his integration.