All Blacks injury opens the door for Top 14 move for Hamish Watson

Top 14 outfit Castres have signed Scotland flanker Hamish Watson for the 2026/27 season to help cover the loss of Dalton Papali’i who has undergone surgery on a ruptured Achilles.

Castres marquee signing Papali’i suffered the injury during training at the very start of his career in France and had surgery on Wednesday.

Watson has been on the lookout for a new club after his short-term deal at Leicester expired at the end of last season. He made six appearances for his former academy club between March and June after joining from Edinburgh, where he’d fallen out of favour under head coach Sean Everitt.

A tenacious openside, Watson has won 60 Test caps – 59 for Scotland and one for the Lions, as well as playing 180 games for Edinburgh.

The 34-year-old made his Scotland debut against Italy in 2015 and was last capped in 2023, having played in his second Rugby World Cup.

Named Six Nations Player of the Year in 2021, Watson is delighted to have secured a move to the Top 14.

“The opportunity to discover French rugby is a fantastic prospect for me,” he said.

“Given Dalton Papali’i’s injury, Castres Olympique contacted me in recent days and I had to make a very quick decision. I did so with enthusiasm.

“I know that several great Scottish players have played for Castres and I am joining this club in great shape with the firm intention of helping them perform at the highest level.”

Current Scotland boss Gregor Townsend and Richie Gray and Johnnie Beattie are amongst the Scots to have played at Castres over the years.

Watson is the third Scotland international to cross the channel this summer, with Adam Hastings and Huw Jones joining Montpellier and Toulon, respectively.