Leicester Tigers fly-half Billy Searle turned down a potential return to France to “push his game on” at Welford Road and stay on the radar for full England honours in the near future.
Searle, 30, agreed a new three-year deal in September, having joined Tigers from French club Agen for the start of 2025-26.
The former Bristol, Wasps and Worcester Warriors stand-off has had three spells playing French rugby in his career – a short stint at Toulouse in 2022, and with second-tier Biarritz and Agen – before moving back to England.
But he told BBC Radio Leicester, once the details of his new Leicester contract were ironed out, staying with Geoff Parling’s Tigers was the only thing he wanted.
“I’ve loved it. I’ve always felt like it’s really suited my game and the fans have taken to me really well,” Searle said.
“So it was an easy decision. It took longer than we probably wanted it from both sides, but that’s just part of negotiations.
“When we got that sorted before the season started that was a big positive for me. Geoff made it clear they want to keep me, I made it clear to the club my priority would be to stay.
“I had interest in France but I made it clear I wanted to stay. I’ve moved around quite a bit in my career and I really felt like I found my feet here.”
