Julian Montoya exclusive: 'I played Leicester at 17 and they smashed us – that's why I joined'

Julián Montoya's relationship with Leicester did not begin with his 2021 arrival, nor in the months leading up to the hooker's debut, when the contract had been signed. No, the link between the Argentina captain and the Tigers stretches back to 2011, when his school, Colegio Cardenal Newman, took on a Leicester academy side, featuring current Tiger Harry Wells, on tour, when Montoya was just 17.

"I came on tour with school and we played against Leicester – they smashed us, obviously!" Montoya tells Telegraph Sport ahead of Saturday's East Midlands derby. "They were semi-pro! Now, I see how they train and I understand [why they smashed us].

"On tour, after that game, I had some meetings with Leicester about joining, but I couldn’t, because I got injured and then I was preparing for the Under-20s World Cup. But then the opportunity arose in 2021 and I didn’t have to think much about it. I had always wanted to play here.

"Partly due to Marcos Ayerza. I was always a rugby fan as a kid. When I watched rugby, I knew Leicester were a good team in England and Europe. They’ve had lots of Pumas: Ayerza, Horacio Agulla, Pablo Matera, Lucas Amorosino, Tomás Lavanini and Matías Moroni. I was always a fan."

It is a love affair which has blossomed. Since he arrived with his wife, Sole, in the East Midlands, the 29-year-old has established himself as one of the world's premier hookers; winning a Premiership title ("my first trophy!") being awarded players’ and supporters’ player of the year at Leicester, and captaining Los Pumas to wins on English and New Zealand soil. Those achievements were capped in August, as the reigning Premiership champions announced that their Argentine bull had agreed a contract extension.

'I don't like the weather... but it has helped me grow'

While the English climate might have thrown a spanner in the works, looking forward to more days like last June's Premiership final win (with both of his brothers in attendance) made the decision to continue at Welford Road an easy one.

"I love the weather! Montoya jokes. "No, I don’t. But I knew what it was like coming here. I see the game a different way. When I arrived here I only knew Super Rugby weather. Coming to the Premiership, to a club with such a rich history, especially in the set piece, has helped me grow.

"At the beginning, there were a few Argentinians, too – now it’s just me! But I like it. Rugby is about getting to know people in different cultures so I’m just enjoying it and giving my best."

"Last season was great. There were 15, 23 on that field [at Twickenham] but we couldn’t have done it without all the people who prepare the pitch for us, cook for us, and all the people at Welford Road working behind the scenes. We were a part of that. From top to bottom, we are all part of the same club.

"There was no magic: we trained hard, trusted each other, and that was the perfect configuration. But we can’t think about that season for the rest of our lives. Yes, a good memory, but we need to look forward and try to be better."

Politeness is not a concept usually associated with front-row forwards, and especially not Leicester hookers, yet Montoya's manners are striking; at odds with his rampaging on-field mien. So much so that, when asked whether Leicester legend and former England fly-half Les Cusworth – who emigrated to Argentina in 2006 and was responsible for unearthing the talent of Ayerza – was involved with his arrival at Leicester, Montoya apologises profusely: “Sorry, I don’t want to make anyone angry, but I don't know him."

'Winning at Twickenham for Argentina was special'

The politeness continues when rhapsodising about his beloved Pumas and so, too, Steve Borthwick and Richard Wigglesworth. The former brought Montoya to Leicester as Tigers head coach and the latter is currently in interim charge of the English champions. While Montoya struggles to draw comparisons between club and country, Borthwick's use of data has clearly had a profound effect on him in both arenas.

"I wasn’t used to so much analysis and stats, they help so much," he says. "At Leicester, everyone is working so hard on getting better [as an individual] because that then leads to the team getting better. I’m really grateful.

"I can’t compare club rugby with playing for my country. My dream when I started playing rugby was to play for Argentina and anyone else would say the same.

"I’m the captain but I don’t like speaking about myself. [Beating England at Twickenham] was a big day for us Argentinians. I’m proud of being the captain but we’re a team, representing Argentina. It was the first time that most of us had won there – the last time was in 2006 – so it was special for the group."

Making his Test debut at 19 and having won 85 caps, Montoya is already somewhat of an international veteran. There is a good chance that he could usurp Keven Mealamu's 132 caps and end his career as the most-capped hooker of all time. Adding another World Cup to Argentina's trophy cabinet, mirroring the exploits of Lionel Messi and his mates last year, does not form a part of Montoya's current thinking, however. Nor that, like Messi, he is one of his sport's pre-eminent players.

"If you think too far ahead then you lose focus on the present," he says. "I’m focusing on myself and trying to get better. I don’t want people to not think [that I'm good], and it’s great to have the support, but I try to not think about that. It’s about how I can get better to help my team.

"I try not to think about the good nor the bad too much. We’re probably never as good as we think, nor as bad as we think. I have lots of things to improve."

Montoya getting better? After the past 12 months, the rugby world quakes.