Most Exciting Top 14 Imports
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Aaron Cruden (Montpellier)
The 50 times capped All Black announced that he will join the French giants in January on a three-year deal.
Midi Libre reported that he will be paid €800,000 per season under the tutelage of New Zealand born Coach Vern Cotter, making him one of the highest-paid players in world rugby.
The future of the former Chiefs playmaker had been the subject of massive speculation after he fell behind Beauden Barrett in the AB’s No.10 pecking order.
Montpellier’s marquee signing will allow supporters to forget about Francois Trinh-Duc’s departure to Toulon a year ago and help re-focus this talented squad on bringing back silverware to the Altrad Stadium.
Bienvenue à Montpellier Aaron 🇳🇿 ! #TEAMMHR pic.twitter.com/9C3NCU9mKj
— Montpellier Rugby (@MHR_officiel) August 14, 2017
Chris Ashton (RC Toulon) –
The leading tryscorer in European club rugby history joins Toulon after five seasons with Saracens in the Premiership.
Ashton arrives at the Stade Felix Mayol with an impressive 19 tries in 39 Tests for England, but hasn’t featured internationally since the summer of 2014.
The rugby league convert is blessed with pace & natural finishing ability, attributes that will help the French powerhouse return to the summit of French & European Rugby.
Ashton continued his excellent try scoring run for his new employers as he touched down in his first two pre-season games for Toulon. A sign of things to come we reckon!
Malakai Fekitoa (RC Toulon) –
The 24-Test cap All Black is an exciting addition to the Toulon midfield this season. Fekitoa will join former All Blacks Ma'a Nonu and Luke McAlister at Toulon at the conclusion of the Mitre 10 Cup season with Auckland.
Fekitoa signed a two-year deal with the Top 14 side, having revealed his slip down the All Blacks pecking order as the main decision for his departure.
The off-season has seen a large turnover in playing staff for Fabien Galthié's charges but the arrival of Fekitoa will strike fear into opposing defences once he gets up and running.
Ruan Pienaar (Montpellier)
After seven seasons with Ulster and keen to extend his stay at the Irish province, Pienaar was told by the IRFU that they could not retain the 33-year-old, claiming he was blocking the development of Irish-qualified players.
A World Cup winner in 2007, Pienaar signed for Montpellier on a three-year deal. An astute kicker armed with 88 Springboks caps, Pienaar will add invaluable experience to Vern Cotter's squad.
The 33-year old will link up with 2011 RWC winner Aaron Cruden at half-back, a partnership that is sure to excite any rugby fan.
Charlie Faumuina (Toulouse) -
A 12th place finish in the Top 14 last season was a disastrous result for Les Rouge et Noir. Ugo Mola needed to address the deficiencies in his squad at half-back and help shore up his pack.
The arrival of 50-cap All Black Faumuina will certainly improve performance at scrum-time, a tactic that proved so effective during the 2015-16 campaign.
The former Auckland Blues tight-head, gifted with deft footwork and slick handling skills will help Toulouse return to the force of old.
