In demand Scotland star Ben White snubs UK club return

Ben White has snubbed a return to the UK when his contract with Top 14 outfit Toulon runs out at the end of the season and has signed a new two-year deal to stay on the Côte d’Azur until 2028.

The news that the Scotland and Lions scrum-half is staying at the Stade Mayol comes hot on the heels of French international Baptiste Serin putting pen to paper on a similar length deal with the club.

White, 27, who arrived in Toulon after the 2023 World Cup, came close to leaving the club earlier this year after agreeing terms with Exeter Chiefs, but his French employer blocked the deal, insisting that he saw out the final year of his deal.

The Stoke-on-Trent native, who started his career with a six-year stint with Leicester Tigers before joining London Irish in 2021, is due to win his 31st Scotland cap when Argentina visit Murrayfield on Sunday afternoon.

He started last weekend’s defeat at the hands of the All Blacks and has made five appearances for Toulon this season, and has made a total of 44 since switching from the Exiles.

White had attracted serious interest from the breakaway R360 competition, who were keen to recruit him as soon as he entered into the final 12 months of his contract.

He is another big-name player who had attracted the interest of energy drinks giant Red Bull following their takeover of Premiership basement dwellers Newcastle in the summer, but has opted to turn them down.

Former PREM Rugby and European champions Saracens had also had talks with him, while Sale Sharks, Edinburgh and Perpignan all had him on their shopping lists.

“Ben has perfectly integrated into the club’s project. He is an intelligent, demanding and highly respected player in the locker room.

“Its extension is part of the continuity of our vision: to build a solid, ambitious group faithful to the values of the RCT,” said Toulon’s Director of Rugby, Pierre Mignoni.