Billy Searle hands Leicester a huge eve-of-season boost

Billy Searle has handed Leicester Tigers a major boost on the eve of the new Gallagher PREM season by agreeing to extend his contract, which was due to run out at the end of the season.

The England A fly-half was outstanding in his first season at Welford Road, scoring 217 points and touching down eight times in 24 appearances, including two tries in the PREM Rugby Cup final win over Exeter Chiefs.

The former Bristol, Worcester, Wasps and Bath ace won an England A cap against Ireland A and was named PREM player of the month for January after picking up a bagful of Man of the Match awards.

He was named the Tigers’ Player of the Season and was nominated for the Gallagher PREM Player of the Season award at The Rugby Awards 2026 after returning from France, where he spent three years with Biarritz, Toulouse and Agen.

Searle, who scored a try in the PREM Rugby Cup defeat to Harlequins earlier this month, entered the second and final year of his agreement in July and attracted interest from the Top 14 again, with Bayonne and Perpignan potentially exploring a move.

Saracens, who have Scotland international Fergus Burke out of contract next summer, were keeping tabs on Searle, who will now be staying at the Tigers after extending for at least another couple of years.

Searle admitted earlier this year that he had unfinished business in England, which is why he chose to join the Tigers and was looking to finish his career at the club.

“I want to try and hopefully finish my career here. I’m probably coming to my prime now as a 10, and I’ve still got a lot left in me, so I want to try and make this my home now.

“I’d love to see out my career here, or at least spend a good four, five, six years here if I can. And how they want to play the game really suits me, so I’m really happy at the moment. Long may it continue,” he said.