Hape makes Montpellier move

England international centre Shontayne Hape has been released by London Irish and will join French side Montpellier.

Dual code international released by London Irish

London Irish have confirmed centre Shontayne Hape is leaving the club to join French side Montpellier. The 31-year-old, who has represented England 13 times, will not play for the Exiles again having already been ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury. Worries that the injury could be career-threatening appear to be off the mark, with the former rugby league player agreeing a deal with the big-spending Top 14 outfit. Montpellier were busy on Friday, announcing deals to sign seven other players including Bath centre Matt Carraro and Scotland loose forward Johnnie Beattie. They will be joined by Bourgoin prop Vincent Pelo, Brive wing Alexandre Bias, Perpignan hooker Charles Geli and Biarritz prop Yvan Watremez. "We'd like to thank Shontayne for his time with London Irish. We wish him the very best of luck for his future career with Montpellier," said London Irish director of rugby Brian Smith. "London Irish has some fantastic young and talented backs who have greatly benefited from training and competing alongside him. "We look forward to watching those guys in action for the rest of this and next season and to announcing Shontayne's replacement very shortly."