Stuart Hogg confirmed as Montpellier signing before trial outcome

Montpellier have confirmed the signing of Stuart Hogg as the Scotland full-back returns to rugby while awaiting the outcome of a domestic abuse trial a year after he retired from the sport.

The French Top 14 club announced the 32-year-old’s signing along with England number eight Billy Vunipola and Georgia prop Nika Abuladze.

While they revealed Vunipola has been given a two-year contract after he ended his 11-year stay with Saracens, and Abuladze has signed for three years after exiting Exeter Chiefs, they gave no indication of how long Hogg will be at the club.

Hogg, who spent four years with Exeter until last summer, was expected to sign a two-year contract in France but is instead described as a “medical joker” – an injury replacement for Anthony Bouthier, who recently underwent anterior cruciate ligament surgery.

The former Scotland captain had been granted bail to allow him to travel to France after appearing in Jedburgh Sheriff Court earlier this month having breached a court order to avoid contact with his estranged wife, by sending her “unpleasant” text messages.

He pled guilty to repeatedly contacting his wife, Gillian, and sentence was deferred until the outcome later this month of a domestic abuse trial, which includes a charge of stalking and controlling behaviour towards his wife over a seven-year period.

Hogg recently said he had “reset” at a rehabilitation clinic after his initial arrest.

He had retired from rugby on 9 July last year, having brought the decision forward after initially saying he would give up the sport after the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Hogg and Montpellier’s other two new signings are due to join up with the squad when training resumes on Wednesday, 17 July.

Montpellier, who survived a relegation play-off last season, begin their Top 14 campaign on 7 September at home to Lyon.