Out-of-favour Irish flyhalf Ross Byrne is keeping Montpeiller, one of the Top 14 large spenders, waiting for a decision on a contract offer made more than two months ago.
Byrne, 29, has fallen down the pecking order behind Leo Cullen’s United Rugby Championship leaders, appearing on the bench five times in seven games since the start of the season.
He is currently the third choice behind Ciaran Frawley and future Ireland star Sam Prendergast, 21, and is also facing competition from his younger brother Harry for a spot in the squad.
Dublin-born Byrne is also on the Leicester Tigers’ wanted list, as the club may need to replace two-time Rugby World Cup winner Handre Pollard, whose lucrative contract expires at the conclusion of the season.
According to Midi Olympique, despite receiving an offer a few months ago, Byrne, who also has a fresh term with the IRFU, has yet to respond.
Byrne isn’t the only Irish international gaining attention from the Top 14. Ulster winger Jacob Stockdale, 28, whose career has been hampered by a series of injuries, is also coveted by Racing 92 and Lyon.
Stockdale, who is also out of contract at the end of the season, is in advanced talks with Stuart Lancaster’s side, but has yet to confirm his decision to join the Paris glamor boys.
Bordeaux is looking for an understudy for Maxime Lucu, who helped France win a Grand Slam in 2002. Ulster scrumhalf John Cooney, 34, is also in his final year of contract.
Tate McDermott, an Australian international and fellow halfback who plays for the Queensland Reds, Lyon’s Martin Page-Relo, and Zebre Parma’s Puma international Gonzalo Garcia are among the other candidates on their shopping list.
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