Ruan Pienaar signs for Top 14 club in France

The former Ulster scrum-half has signed a three-year deal in France.

Ruan Pienaar's next port of call has been revealed as Montpellier.

The former Ulster scrum-half has signed a three-year deal with the Top 14 side.

Pienaar will face Irish opposition again next season, with Montpellier drawn in the same Champions Cup pool as Leinster.

#Recrues 2017-2018 ✍️: Ruan Pienaar s'engage avec le MHR pour 3 saisons !
➡️https://t.co/1SoH0gBGfG pic.twitter.com/NpBPGE8bLA

— Montpellier Hérault Rugby (@MHR_officiel) June 13, 2017

The highly regarded player had hoped to stay at Ulster while the province were also keen to retain his services beyond last season.

However, due to the IRFU's succession policy a new contract could not be agreed, leading to Pienaar's departure.

He had been at Ulster since 2010 and became an integral part of the first team set-up during seven years at the province.

Speaking to Montpellier's official website, he said: "I wasn't allowed to stay at Ulster any longer due to the IRFU's rules around foreign players."