No UK return for ex-England and Lions centre Jonathan Joseph

Former England international Jonathan Joseph is close to extending his stay with the historical club French Biarritz Olympique, ending speculations about his future, remaining with the Pro D2 side until June 2026.

Joseph will see a substantial salary increase with the contract renewal, as local rugby outlet Sud Ouest revealed.

Joseph’s senior pro career started with the London Irish setup, becoming a stalwart for the Middlesex club. He earned his first cap for England on a tour to South Africa in 2012, starting in the last two fixtures.

In 2013 the centre moved to Bath where he enjoyed a lengthy career, dotting down 32 tries in 162 games.

After ten years at The Rec, Joseph departed for France in 2023, joining Biarritz Olympique. In his first season abroad, the centre only played in 14 out of 30 games, scoring one try, but played an important role in keeping his new club from being relegated.

Although the current season didn’t start how Joseph intended (only four games of a possible ten), Biarritz Olympique has won six of their ten fixtures, a total reversal of how things went last season.

The 55-cap English international has featured in more than a couple of LNR Team of the Week, and his experience is vastly appreciated at the club, being one of the many reasons why the club made several contract adjustments to convince the centre to stay.

Joseph is the latest player to recommit his future with the Basque club, as former Scotland number-eight Cornell du Preez has also extended his stay until 2026.

Biarritz has endured difficult times in the last couple of years, and it seems that the five-time Top 14 champions are back on course, with rumours of new signings coming from the Top 14.