MHR: who is Nicolas Martins, jiff third row from Soyaux-Angoulême about to join Montpellier ?

Nicolas Martins during the last 6 Nations Tournament with Portugal. EPA – CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON

The third row of Soyaux-Angoulême, Nicolas Martins (25 years old), is about to sign up with Montpellier Hérault Rugby.

As indicated in these columns on March 27, confirming information from La Charente Libre, the third line of Soyaux-Angoulême Nicolas Martins should be in Montpellier next season.

The 25-year-old third wing line is one of the executives of the Charente team, led by the Portiragnais Alexandre Ruiz. This season, he has accumulated sixteen match sheets since the start of the season (twelve starts, four tries).

Also read: MHR: Bordeaux winger Madosh Tambwe is moving closer to Montpellier, also a third line

Portugal framework

Martins distinguished himself during the last World Cup. The helmeted flanker was even voted man of the match during Portugal’s historic victory against Fiji (24-23) on October 8.

This winter, he was one of the key men of the Portuguese selection, which failed in the final of the 6 Nations B Tournament against Georgia (36-10). He now has 17 caps (3 tries). Even though he was born in Toulouse, Nicolas Martins was able to apply for the Portuguese-speaking selection thanks to his father, who is Portuguese.

After starting rugby in Colomiers, he went into exile in Tournefeuille then to Avenir Castanéen. He signed for Soyaux in the summer of 2022. Two years later, he could discover the Top 14. If Montpellier secures his place in the elite…

The MHR strengthens itself even more in a position already filled by Alexandre Bécognée, Lenni Nouchi, Sam Simmonds, Marco Tauleigne, Yacouba Camara, Janse Van Rensburg and even Masivesi Dakuwaqa. The future of Clément Doumenc is still uncertain.

As a reminder, Montpellier has already obtained the agreements of third row Billy Vunipola, Nevers hooker Elia Elia and Montauban scrum half Alexis Bernadet. Bordeaux-Bègles winger Madosh Tambwe is also on the club’s shelves.