Leicester Tigers hooker Julián Montoya has been appointed captain of the Argentina national team, Los Pumas.
The 27-year-old joined Tigers in January 2021 and has made four appearances for the club.
Montoya has made 63 appearances for Argentina and featured in successive Rugby World Cup campaigns for Los Pumas in 2015 and 2019.
The front-rower was a member of the Argentine side who created history with victory over New Zealand in 2020, their first win over the All Blacks.
Hola Capitán! Julián Montoya (Puma #812) llevará la cinta de capitán de @lospumas.
— Los Pumas (@lospumas) May 28, 2021
Formado en @ClubNewman (URBA), Julián alcanzó 63 caps con el seleccionado nacional, participó en dos Mundiales (2015 y 2019) y anotó 9 tries.
¡Felicitaciones Juli! pic.twitter.com/HJuAMwOGi4
Tigers head coach Steve Borthwick, who captained England on 21 occasions between 2008 and 2010 in a 57-game international career, shared his delight at the appointment of the Leicester forward to the role in the Los Pumas squad.
"We are all very pleased for Julián with this appointment, it is a great recognition of his leadership qualities," said Borthwick.
"He is a passionate and committed Argentina player, who I am certain will be a great captain of Los Pumas.
"To captain your country is a great honour and it is a big honour for Leicester Tigers to have a current international captain in our ranks."
Montoya and fellow Tigers Tomás Lavanini and Matías Moroni have been included in the Argentina squad for their upcoming Test matches in the summer.
