Billy Searle extends Leicester Tigers stay after 217-point debut season

Billy Searle has committed his future to Leicester Tigers by extending his contract for at least two more years, the club confirmed ahead of the new Gallagher Premiership season. The deal ends reported interest from French Top 14 sides Bayonne and Perpignan, as well as attention from Saracens.

Searle, 30, was one of the Premiership’s standout performers in 2024-25, amassing 217 points and crossing for eight tries in 24 appearances in his first season at Welford Road. His form earned him the Tigers’ Player of the Season award and a nomination for the Gallagher Premiership Player of the Season at The Rugby Awards 2026.

The fly-half had entered the second and final year of his original two-year deal in July, making his future one of the more closely watched stories of the off-season. He had spent three years in France with Biarritz, Toulouse and Agen before returning to England, and had previously represented Bristol, Worcester, Wasps and Bath.

Highlights of his debut campaign included two tries in the Premiership Rugby Cup final victory over Exeter Chiefs and the Premiership Player of the Month award for January, a period in which he collected multiple Man of the Match honours. He also earned an England A cap against Ireland A.

Searle made clear earlier this year that unfinished business in England was the driving force behind his decision to join Leicester, and he has now doubled down on that commitment.

“I want to try and hopefully finish my career here,” he said. “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.”

Saracens had been monitoring the situation with Scotland international Fergus Burke out of contract next summer, but Searle’s extension removes him from the market entirely.