London Welsh's French connection
London Welsh have added some weight to their front row with the signings of Bourgoin duo Franck Montanella and Arthur Joly.
Montanella, at 125kg, is dynamic in the loose and comes with a reputation as an effective scrummager. He was capped once by France against New Zealand in 2007 and also enjoyed a spell at Stade Francais.
The 30-year-old, spent his early rugby years at hometown club Racing Club Cannes-Mandelieu, before signing his first professional contract with Narbonne. He spent three seasons at Strasbourg before joining Pro D2 side Auch in 2005.
In his second season he played in every game as Auch won the French second tier league – Montanella making 25 starts and touching down for three tries.
Despite playing for a Pro D2 club his performances earned him a call up for France's 2007 summer Tour of New Zealand, and he made his international debut as a replacement in the second Test at Eden Park.
His displays for Auch also brought him to the attention of Stade Francais, where he spent the next two seasons. He returned to the Pro D2 in 2009, and Pays d'Aix, before joining Bourgoin in 2011.
He will pack down this season in the London Welsh front row alongside fellow countryman and former Bourgoin team-mate Arthur Joly.
Joly, 24 and 122kg, represented France at Under U20 level in the Six Nations and was selected for the 2007 IRB Under-19 World Championships in 2007 in Belfast.
He began his career with Massey before spending four seasons at Stade Francais, where he gained Top 14 and Amlin Challenge Cup experience before joining Bourgoin in 2011.
Montanella and Joly both made their debuts for London Welsh in the club's friendly against the Scarlets last Saturday.
"They're both very experienced in the French leagues, which is a tough environment for front five forwards," said London Welsh head coach Lyn Jones. "They're both good scrummagers and they carry well – they'll give us some much needed bulk," he added.
