Lyon approach Montpellier over Wales and Lions lock Adam Beard with two years left on deal

Lyon have approached Montpellier to enquire about signing Wales and Lions lock Adam Beard, who has two years remaining on the three-year contract he signed last summer after leaving the Ospreys.

Beard, 30, made 20 appearances for Montpellier this season, including coming off the bench in their Challenge Cup final victory over Ulster in Bilbao. Despite that involvement, he faces growing competition for a starting place at the Septeo Stadium from Florian Verhaeghe, Bastien Chalureau, and Tyler Duguid — a situation set to intensify when Ruben Van Heerden arrives from the Stormers ahead of next season.

According to Midi Olympique, Lyon are in the market for a lock following the impending departure of Killian Geraci to Bayonne at the end of the season. Beard, who made his Lions Test debut against the Springboks five years ago and accumulated 135 appearances for his hometown club Ospreys before moving to France, fits the profile Lyon are targeting. Talks are under way in a bid to agree a deal for the end of the current campaign.

Beard, who has earned 68 caps for Wales, spoke earlier this season about the reasoning behind his move to France. “It was a tough decision, and something that I had long conversations about with my wife, family, friends, and even people in the rugby circles,” he told AFP. “I’m 29 now, and there’s less years ahead, so I wanted to experience something different.”

“I obviously heard great things about Montpellier as a city, as a club, and just playing in the Top 14. I believe it’s the best league in the world, and it is international-standard matches week in, week out, and I feel at my age that can only be beneficial for myself.”

His wife Chelsea is a netball international, and Beard has cited family discussions as central to his decision-making around his career moves.

Separately, Perpignan are closing in on a deal to sign former Ireland fly-half Ross Byrne, potentially ending his difficult spell with Gloucester just 12 months into a three-year contract.