Leicester Tigers fly-half Billy Searle turned down a potential return to France to “push his game on” at Welford Road and stay on the radar for full England honours in the near future.

Searle, 30, agreed a new three-year deal in September, having joined Tigers from French club Agen for the start of 2025-26.

The former Bristol, Wasps and Worcester Warriors stand-off has had three spells playing French rugby in his career – a short stint at Toulouse in 2022, and with second-tier Biarritz and Agen – before moving back to England.

But he told BBC Radio Leicester, once the details of his new Leicester contract were ironed out, staying with Geoff Parling’s Tigers was the only thing he wanted.

“I’ve loved it. I’ve always felt like it’s really suited my game and the fans have taken to me really well,” Searle said.

“So it was an easy decision. It took longer than we probably wanted it from both sides, but that’s just part of negotiations.

“When we got that sorted before the season started that was a big positive for me. Geoff made it clear they want to keep me, I made it clear to the club my priority would be to stay.

“I had interest in France but I made it clear I wanted to stay. I’ve moved around quite a bit in my career and I really felt like I found my feet here.”

Searle added that extending his Tigers career will enable him to “be in an environment where I feel I’m getting better”.

“I’m pushing on and feel like I’m playing some of my best rugby,” he added. “My main motivation was to be settled here and lead this team forward and really push my game on.”

Searle has also not given up hope of adding a first senior cap to his England A appearance against Ireland in February – which would have not been possible had he moved back to France.

“I think it’s always in the back of your mind – it’s one of the reasons I came back, hopefully pushing into that bracket,” he said.

“I had a few conversations with [head coach] Steve [Borthwick] – just ‘off the books’ conversations about my game. So it’s always in the back of your mind.

“I know [2027] that’s a World Cup year, s there’s no reason why if you can’t go well and keep pushing the door you might get an opportunity.”

Saturday brings an early-season humdinger to Welford Road as Prem champions and local rivals Northampton Saints visit (15:05 BST) having wracked up an incredible 156 points from their three matches so far, including 11 tries in a 71-41 win over Bath.

Tigers have also scored more than 100 points in a free-scoring, high-octane start across the new campaign that sees just one point separating the top five sides.

“They’re obviously a great team. They’ve moved the ball well, they’ve got threats all the way through the backline and through the pack,” Searle said.

“It’s about doing what we do well and trying to shut out what they do well. They like to move the ball around we like to move the ball around but most of our preview is how we’re going to put our stamp on the game.”

It will be the first meeting of two since Saints won an epic semi-final on their way to clinching the title last season and Searle said that occasion left a big impression.

“It’s special. I think from the outside, you don’t realise how big it is for the fans.

“We’ve already sold out the stadium so it’s going to be rocking, it’s going to be a massive game.

“The semi-final was an awesome atmosphere and they got on the right side of the result, so hopefully this time we’ll have a full house and put on a performance they can be proud of.”