Bitter End to Julian Montoya's Tenure in England: Defeat in Premiership Final Marks Farewell
How did the Leicester Tigers' finale unfold for Julian Montoya?
-A ride of emotions.
-Was it a disappointing day, then?
-You could say that. Nevertheless, it was a thrilling, closely-contested match.
Julian Montoya, a stalwart of Leicester Tigers, bid his emotional goodbye to the club after their narrow defeat against Bath in the 2025 Premiership final. With a visible tear in his eye during the post-match interview, the hooker whispered, "Thank you, Leicester." Hard-fought and visibly passionate, Montoya served as Leicester's captain during his final appearance with the club, entering the field with his daughter in his arms.
The final was far from a walk in the park for Leicester, who showed grit and determination, rather than strategy, throughout the game. A yellow card in the first half for a high tackle, which could have even been upgraded to a red card, did not deter Montoya, who competed with valor until the very end.
🇦🇷🥹 Such an iconic scene!, the Twitter universe commented as the Argentinean played his swan song with Leicester.
"I'm sad and frustrated because we were a kick away from winning another final," Montoya explained his sentiment post-match. "Yet I'm very proud of the team. We were under pressure in the first half, but we fought back. Sometimes the result isn't what you want, leaving a bitter taste, but I'm proud to have been part of this group and this club," he added.
Leicester struggled to keep up with Bath in the game, but Bath delivered inconsistent performances and suffered until the final whistle. Bath claimed their first title in the English league since 1996, thanks to Finn Russell's incredible performance that earned him 13 points, a mobile pack of forwards, and Ben Spencer's steering ability.
As Montoya prepares to join the Pumas squad to face the British and Irish Lions, he is already eyeing his future away from Leicester Tigers. "My focus is Leicester this week. I try to dedicate 24 hours to victories and defeats, and be present at all times. Once I shift my focus to Ireland, I'll give everything to the Pumas, my greatest love," affirmed Montoya, acknowledging his strong connection to his national team.
During his tenure at Leicester, Montoya made 192 appearances, emerging as a key player and fan favorite. The club's departure, albeit a bitter pill to swallow, was marked by his resilience, passion, and commitment, making his departure a poignant moment for the Leicester Tigers community.
Insights:- Julian Montoya's journey at Leicester Tigers spanned five years, during which he made 192 appearances.- Montoya played a pivotal role in the team's performance, leading them with passion and grit.- The hooker is set to re-join the Pumas squad, having left Leicester Tigers after the Premiership final.- Bath Rugby claimed their first title in the English league since 1996.
Julian Montoya's farewell match with Leicester Tigers, a heartrending 2025 Premiership final, saw him discuss the narrow defeat, saying, "Sometimes the result isn't what you want, leaving a bitter taste, but I'm proud to have been part of this group and this club." Despite the loss, Montoya's sports career continues, as he prepares to join the Pumas squad for their upcoming news event against the British and Irish Lions.
