Leicester Tigers sensation Billy Searle has revealed that he is in the running for an England call-up this summer, after securing the Leicester 10 shirt in a sensational return to the English PREM.
The 30-year-old has been in electric form for the Tigers since returning to England from a stint out in France, winning The Gallagher Player of the Month award for January 2026, and keeping Wallabies legend James O’Connor out of the fly-half shirt.
His reputation has grown exponentially since leaving Worcester Warriors in 2022, when the club was forced into administration. He has since pinpointed his experience in France as the reason for his growth.
“I’ve been around a little bit, and some of those decisions have been forced, really, from clubs going bust and other reasons,” he told Jim Hamilton and Andy Goode on The Rugby Pod.
“But I think the last couple of years in France did really help my game, playing week in week out.
“I feel like I’ve always had the game, but it’s putting it together and understanding how to do that as a fly-half and lead the team around.”
Searle was able to test himself against the very best when he arrived at six-time European champions Toulouse, before heading into the second division of French rugby. First with Biarritz, and then Agen in Pro D2.
Grinding away under the radar appears to have done wonders for a player who’s never truly been in the spotlight before. He has arrived at one of the biggest, most historic clubs in the world, at the peak of his powers.
“I guess you don’t get the coverage when you’re out there,” Searle reflected on his time in France. “But I feel I’ve been in a good spot the last couple of years, and coming back now, it’s great to get that chance. And yeah, just want it to continue as long as I can here, if possible.”
URC round 16: Predictions, teams, kick-off times, how to watch and referee appointments
Rivalry with James O’Connor
When Leicester Tigers signed Aussie great O’Connor, there was very little mention of journeyman Searle competing for the number 10 shirt. He was widely considered a potential back-up when O’Connor was rested or away on international duty.
“I guess on paper, you probably have him down as number one, if you’re being honest,” Searle admitted.
Claiming that the starting position was always up for grabs, however, he explained how his role at Leicester was sold to him initially: “The conversation was, ‘we’re going to bring someone in, you can compete with and have a real crack at’.
“I was confident in my own game, and I wanted to come here and really have a crack at it. I was just waiting for an opportunity, and it came early in the season because he came a bit late through playing in the Lions tour. [He’s] obviously a quality player and a great bloke. I’ve got a lot of time for him.
“And then just kicked on when I got the opportunity, and played well. I know I’ve got to keep doing that, because you’ve got him waiting in the wings to come in, and he’s a quality player, and quality guy to compete with every day, and it’s probably only making me better.
“The sell was to come back, and then it’s up to you to do the business in training and on the pitch when you get the opportunity. And I think that’s all you can ask for as a 10.
“You’re always going to have competition in England, especially in the Premiership. There are always going to be two or three of you who can play, but I knew if I could get in and play well, I could back my ability to take that shirt if I could.”
England prospects
One may wonder why, when he was being paid to play rugby in south-west France, he would wish to return to England.
Asked whether an opportunity to wear an England shirt was part of the motivation to return, Searle said: “Yeah, I think so, if I’m honest.
“It was in the back of my mind when I came back and looked at the ten situation in England. You had the three guys in the squad, and then behind that, I felt like I could really push the guys that are in the squad.
“But to do that, I knew I had to come back and get the number 10 shirt at Leicester first and then play well and lead this team.”
After an impressive performance for England A against Ireland A back in February, scoring a try and kicking five goals, it appears that he’s very much on the senior coaches’ radar.
“I have had conversations with Lee Blackett,” Searle told the duo.
“I was in last week. We had a good chat and just saying how well I’m doing, like, just some stuff about my game, but saying that I’m in the mix and they’re talking about me, which is great to hear.
“I don’t want to focus on that too much. I just want to keep playing how I am, and hopefully, if it comes during the season and I’m playing with this sort of form, and I’m in the mix, I’d love to get the opportunity at some point.
“All you want as a player is to be picked on form, and I’m sure if I keep going well, potentially that might come. But that sort of thing’s out of my hands.”
Discussing his time training with England in the past, he concluded: “All you can do when you get opportunities is try and put your best foot forward, and then wait. If that call does come to get a senior call-up, I’ll be itching to take it.”