Bath flyhalf Searle to play for 2 French clubs next season

Biarritz Olympique has officially secured the services of Billy Searle, the former Wasps and Worcester Warriors playmaker, for the next three seasons.

The 27-year-old’s move to the Basque Country is slated to take place following the World Cup from September 8 to October 28, during which Searle will serve as the World Cup joker for Stade Toulouse.

Searle’s new adventure promises to be eventful in his first season. Recently designated as the World Cup joker by Stade Toulousain, he will now play for two clubs in one season as he joins Biarritz Olympique’s ranks, as the club look to shore up their personnel.

Having plied his trade exclusively within the English championship, Searle brings a wealth of experience from his time in the English domestic league. The season just gone witnessed his appearances for the Worcester Warriors before he made a transition to Bath due to the former’s club financial turmoil. His participation this season was limited to a mere five matches however.

Initially, Searle will step into the shoes of Romain Ntamack as part of his new role for Toulouse, before he has to fight for his place at Biarritz, where – according to RugbyRama – he will face the likes of Christopher Hilsenbeck, recruited for a single season, and Ilian Perraux, a consistent presence at the club since 2018, who is contracted through 2024.