Montpellier have signed Queensland Reds playmaker Ben Lucas as medical cover for injured France international five-eighth Francois Trinh-Duc.
The French Top 14 side made the move as Trinh-Duc is out for between three and four months with a broken leg, suffered last weekend in a league match against Oyonnax.
The versatile Lucas, 26, can play at halfback, five-eighth and fullback.
“He’s an Australian who’s arriving from Queensland Reds, he’s played a few matches at No.10 in Super Rugby as a replacement for Quade Cooper,” said Montpellier head coach Fabien Galthie following his side’s 30-23 Champions Cup defeat to Toulouse on Sunday.
However, Lucas will not be taking over kicking duties, according to Galthie.
“From what I’ve seen, he doesn’t kick. It was the quickest solution, the most immediate one with advantages and disadvantages.”