Leicester Tigers fly-half Billy Searle, nominated for the Premiership's Player of the Year last season and winner of the club's top award, admits he still has to prove himself at international level. The 30-year-old, who has joined England A for a second camp, will face Argentina XV in Bath on Friday night.
From Understudy to Leicester's Driving Force
Searle arrived at Welford Road last year expected to be understudy to James O'Connor, the fly-half with 71 Australian caps. By the business end of the season, he was steering Leicester, the eighth club of his career, to the Premiership semi-finals, where their run ended at Northampton. Months earlier, he starred for England A in a heavy win over Ireland, contributing 15 of England A's 52 points in Limerick with a try and five conversions.
England's main squad fly-halves have been settled for some time, with George Ford and the two Smiths, Marcus and Fin, in place. Searle is hoping to disrupt that order and knows he must seize his opportunity.
He told the Mirror: "I don't know if I've proved myself at this level yet, I need to do that consistently for Leicester in the Prem. Feel like the last 12 months have been great, but to take that next step and to prove myself at this level, you can only do that by being here. I'm eager to push on to try and get into the main squad."
Rebuilding After Worcester and a French Education
Searle's nomadic career stems partly from the demise of Worcester Warriors, who went bust in 2022. After a short stint at Bath, he moved to France, joining European champions Toulouse as a medical joker during the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Holding his own in training there opened his eyes to what might be possible.
He confessed: "I went there to rebuild after the Worcester situation. I thought it really helped my career, playing week in, week out, and then that short spell with Toulouse. That opened my eyes and showed me that I can compete with these people, I'm not out of place."
Spells at Biarritz and Agen, then both in French rugby's second tier, followed. Though not the most glamorous of trips across the Channel, Searle sees those seasons as formative.
"It is physical but it is really fast-paced out there," he said. "They like to play a bit more what's in front of them, it is less structured. A lot of star players out wide too. It is a different balance, playing in England vs playing out there, and it is just about adapting. I think it definitely makes you a better player trying new environments, yeah I'd recommend anyone to go out there if they get the chance."
Returning to England and a Second Chance
The Premiership is full of players who have gone to France and returned, including Courtney Lawes and Joe Marchant at Sale, and Tom Willis, who beat Searle to the Premiership's best player award last year after his spell at Bordeaux. Searle will provide impact off the bench on Friday, with Gloucester's Charlie Atkinson starting at fly-half. The two men are vying for higher honours, and a statement performance at the Rec could help.
Searle admits "you're a bit more relaxed the second time you come in," having shared fly-half duties with Atkinson back in February. He knows that young fly-halves always want the ball and to attack, but with age and maturity comes the realisation that the team depends on you. As he put it, it is all about "time in the seat, time in the saddle."
The 30-year-old from Exeter says his ideal rugby environment welcomes positive challenge within the group. He said: "You don't have to be out there shouting at everyone, there's different ways to lead. I like to drive standards, be technical with what I do and help boys around me, but also be that calming figure."
England A team to face Argentina XV: Carpenter, Caluori, Northmore, Ojomoh, Hendy, Atkinson, Englefield; Van der Flier, Blamire, Fasogbon, Batley, Bamber, Roots, Kenningham, Harding. Replacements: Jibulu, O'Driscoll, Kloska, Lockett, Hicks, Friday, Searle, Elliott.
