Murray secures new two-year Montauban deal

SCOTT Murray, the former Scotland lock, has agreed an extension of his contract with the French club US Montauban. The 33-year-old has signed for the Top 14 side for a further two years, with an option for a third.

Originally a Preston Lodge player, Murray was one of the first Scots to move south when the game went professional, leaving Edinburgh Accies for Bedford in 1996. He moved on to Saracens three years later, then returned to Scotland in 2002, joining Edinburgh.

At one time the holder of the Scottish record for international appearances, Murray won his 87th cap in the 2007 Rugby World Cup defeat by New Zealand, when the national coach, Frank Hadden, chose not to play his first-choice team. Murray has not played for his country since, and saw his caps record overtaken last year by Chris Paterson, who is now closing in on his century.

Montauban are currently in the middle of French rugby's top flight. They qualified for this season's Heineken Cup, but finished bottom of their pool.

It was announced earlier this week that Murray will be joined in the south-west of France by his fellow Scot Andrew Henderson. The 29-year-old Glasgow back has signed for three years.